James Atkinson, doctor, journalist and artist of the Afghan Campaign, became superintendent of the Government Gazette in 1818, and of the Press from 1823. In 1833, he became surgeon to the 55th native Infantry and between 1838 and 1841 served in Kabul. The present sketches are original drawings made by Atkinson on the spot and relate to his publications Sketches in Afghanistan and The Expedition into Afghanistan. The drawings are inscribed with references to the artist’s journal, and the artist’s notes explain where in his planned publication the various illustrations should appear. Clearly Atkinson intended many more drawings to be published than in fact appeared. His sketches in fact contain 25 drawings plus the original frontispiece (the original drawing for which is in this collection); 16 of the remaining original drawings are in the India Office Library. At the time when Atkinson was travelling Afghanistan was a little-known country. Atkinson took drawing lessons from the artist George Chinnery. He probably first met Chinnery in 1805 when he was appointed assistant surgeon at Backergunge, to the south of Dhaka, soon after Chinnery was in Dhaka from 1808. His wife became a student of the artist and Atkinson himself is known to have executed a number of copies after Chinnery in addition to his own original watercolours. 'In several parts of the grove, embowered in chequered shade, there is sufficient space for pitching tents; and a fête champêtre in so romantic a situation, could not be otherwise than a pleasing event. This agreeable reaction was adopted by the Envoy, who with his family and friends made up a large party, that all the beauties of the spot might be fully seen and explored at leisure. The party assembled before breakfast, and the whole day was passed in various pleasant amusements, and in that spirit-stirring intercourse and social cheerfulness which give a zest to life, especially in Affghanistan, where opportunities of rural enjoyment are “few and far between”'.(1) 1. J. Atkinson, The Expedition into Afghanistan, Notes and Sketches descriptive of the country contained in a personal narrative during the Campaign of 1839 and 1840, up to the surrender of Dost Mahomed Khan, The Naval Military Press, 2006, pages 306-7
J. Atkinson, Sketches in Afghaunistan, lithographed by Louis and Charles Haghe, published by Henry Graves & Company, London 1842, plate 24 J. Atkinson, The Expedition into Afghanistan, Notes and Sketches descriptive of the country contained in a personal narrative during the Campaign of 1839 and 1840, up to the surrender of Dost Mahomed Khan, The Naval Military Press, 2006, page 305-7