This painting was purchased in poor condition in an East London market. It is signed on the strainer and dated 1851. It depicts the cricket ground in the Indian hill station of Simla.

It was very dark as the varnish had oxidised. The paint was missing in several places and canvas was flaky and had holes.

The picture was first cleaned, then stabilised before relining and fitting to a new stretcher.

All the tears and holes were then filled with gesso, and this was covered in gouache in a matching light base colour.

The retouching was done carefully by hand using restoration colours before a final spray finish.

Originally the buildings looked rather menacing, but after restoration they became serene - presumably as the artist had intended 150 years ago.