The collection contains 164 botanical and zoological paintings created chiefly by Elizabeth Gwillim as well as possibly by her sister Mary Symonds while living in Chennai, India (then Madras). The collection includes 121 watercolours of birds with inscriptions, 31 watercolours of fish, and twelve of flowers, drawn from life rather than specimens. The paintings reflect the sisters' time in Madras during which, as artists and letter writers, they created a substantial visual record of the landscape and inhabitants of Madras and environs. The paintings also reflect Gwillim's scientific pursuits, including her study of botany.
The series consists of 31 watercolour paintings of fish, created while Elizabeth Gwillim and Mary Symonds were living in Madras, India (modern-day Chennai). The paintings are preceded by an introductory page of notes by Casey A. Wood. The paintings were originally attributed to Gwillim by Wood, largely on the basis of handwriting, but have more recently been tentatively attributed to Mary Symonds approximately around the year 1805 on the basis of information found in the sisters' correspondence. The fishes depicted are identified by a handwritten caption in the margin of each painting. Approximately one third of the paintings also feature an additional caption written in an Urdu script. These paintings may be copies of Symonds' originals created by a local artist in India. Item 30 (Crocodilus palustris) also contains additional manuscript notes.
Painting showing a side view of fish in dark teal and tan; scales rendered through cross-hatching. Pencil inscription on mat reads, "Mesoprion johnii" and "Musri."
Painting of a grey-and-blue fish, in between a side and dorsal view; blue wash underneath. Pencil inscriptions on mat read, "Platycephalus insidiator" and "Urpāḳi."
Painting showing a side view of brown fish; scales rendered through cross-hatching; blue wash underneath. Pencil inscription on mat reads, "Balistes viridescens."
Painting showing a side view of red fish with black detailing on fins, with scales rendered individually and a blue wash near fins and tail. Pencil inscriptions on mat read, "Myripristis murdjan" and "Kākājī."
Painting showing a side view of grey fish with pale coral accents and dark grey dots over body; blue wash underneath. Inscriptions on mat read, "Serranus horridus" and "Chǎpkilwan."
