Historic exhibition at Westminster House will feature rarely seen works by prominent British artists
The George Keyt Foundation in partnership with the British High Commission in Colombo will present “19th Century Views of Ceylon,” a landmark exhibition showcasing a rare collection of historic artworks by renowned British artists. The exhibition will be held from July 30 to August 1, 2026, at Westminster House, the residence of the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. The event marks the first time that Westminster House will host a public art exhibition.
The exhibition will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to view important works sourced from several private collections, many of which have never previously been displayed publicly. The carefully curated collection will present landscapes, architectural scenes and historical perspectives that offer a compelling visual record of 19th-century Ceylon.
Featured artists include:
* Edward Lear, the celebrated English artist, illustrator, and author.
* Andrew Nicholl, the famed landscape painter known for his watercolour depictions of the island.
* Constance Gordon Cummings, the famed female writer and artist whose book ‘Two Happy Years in Ceylon’ described her time in Ceylon. She was a friend of Marianne North and Isabella Bird.
Together, the artworks provide a rare insight into how the island was observed and interpreted by visiting British artists during the 19th century.
British Airways joins the exhibition as its primary partner. The partnership coincides with the airline’s planned resumption of direct services to Colombo in October 2026, strengthening air connectivity between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
The exhibition is also supported by Lynear Wealth, the Juniper Group and Nations Trust Bank, whose contributions have helped make this significant cultural event possible. News1st will serve as the official electronic media partner for the exhibition.
Through this collaboration, the George Keyt Foundation and the British High Commission aim to create greater public appreciation of Sri Lanka’s artistic and cultural heritage while strengthening the longstanding historical and cultural relationship between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
Event Registration: Admission to the exhibition is free of charge, but attendance requires mandatory pre-booked passes due to limited capacity at the venue. Interested visitors can reserve their passes online by visiting the official registration portal: https://forms.gle/qAVW3Rd11aDdyNMr5
