The George Keyt Foundation and the British High Commission in Colombo recently wrapped up the art exhibition 19th Century Views of Ceylon: British Artists and Historical Perspectives on the Island at Westminster House on July 31 and August 1. The event attracted large crowds of art lovers, history enthusiasts, and members of the public.

The exhibition showcased rare oil paintings, watercolours, aquatint lithographs, and other 19th-century views of Ceylon. Visitors saw how British artists, travellers, writers, and illustrators captured the island’s culture, landscapes, and architecture. The display moved from early detailed studies to later, more expressive works, creating a unique artistic record of Ceylon at that time.

Visitors could see works by artists such as Henry Salt, Samuel Daniell, William Thomas Lyttleton, John Deschamps, Charles O’Brien, James Stephanoff, James Miller Huggins, Thomas Fraser, Andrew Nicholl, Constance Frederica Gordon-Cumming, Edward Lear, and Thomas Hampson Jones. Among the standout pieces were Samuel Daniell’s delicate watercolours of lush landscapes and village scenes, and Edward Lear’s evocative depictions of iconic Ceylon landmarks such as Sigiriya and Adam’s Peak. Recurring themes ranged from intricate studies of Kandyan architecture to vibrant portrayals of local communities, everyday life, and the dramatic coastline. These pieces showed how the island’s visual history changed and reflected the views and priorities of the artists over time.

British High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, said, "Hosting this exhibition at Westminster House has been a wonderful opportunity to showcase a unique collection of 19th-century artworks. These works provide an insight into how British artists and travellers recorded the landscapes and communities of Sri Lanka at the time. The collaboration with the George Keyt Foundation has helped bring this important collection to a wider audience while highlighting the enduring cultural and people-to-people links between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka."

David Wright, General Manager, British Airways, said, "Art has an extraordinary power to connect people across nations, and British Airways is incredibly proud to support this historic exhibition. As we prepare for the return of our direct flight services from Colombo to London in October, this cultural milestone reflects our commitment to bringing people closer together and strengthening the cultural and economic links between Sri Lanka and the UK."

Malaka Talwatte, Chairman of the George Keyt Foundation, said, "The overwhelming public response validates our mission to champion the preservation of Sri Lankan artistic heritage. The George Keyt Foundation extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who joined us at Westminster House for the landmark 19th Century Views of Ceylon exhibition. By bringing these hidden private collections into the public domain, we generated an important cultural dialogue. We are thrilled that the limited edition book was sold out within three days and have received positive feedback from everyone who got themselves a copy of the book. We have to thank our partners who made this exhibition possible: the British High Commission, British Airways, Lynear Wealth, the Juniper Group, Nations Trust Private Banking, and News1st.”

The George Keyt Foundation was established to honour Sri Lanka's most celebrated modern painter. It works to restore, preserve, and promote the island’s visual arts, giving local artists a platform to join the global modern art conversation. The Foundation continues to engage the public through its exhibitions. To stay updated on upcoming events or to get involved, please visit the Foundation’s website www.georgekeytfoundation.com or follow them on social media.