This artwork depicts a refugee train from the Partition of 1947. Overcrowded, moving through a landscape that had just been divided by a line drawn in five weeks by a man who had never been to India.
Cyril Radcliffe arrived in India in July 1947, was given maps he had never studied, and drew the borders of two new nations in five weeks. He left before independence was declared. Approximately fourteen million people then attempted to cross those borders. Trains became the primary means of movement. They also became targets. Multiple trains were attacked en route, arriving at stations with large numbers of casualties or no survivors at all. Historical records describe bodies on rooftops, families separated in the confusion, people travelling without knowing whether their homes still existed.
Radcliffe destroyed his papers and never returned to India. He accepted no fee. He said he did not want to profit from what he had done. An estimated one million people died.
Every artwork in the Riwayah collection is available in four premium display formats, crafted to suit every home and interior style. Our canvas prints offer a rich, textured finish that brings depth and character to each piece, stretched on FSC-certified wooden bars for a refined gallery feel. For a minimalist and versatile look, our magnetic hangers use durable pine wood to hold your print securely without marking it, making it easy to change artwork whenever you like. Those seeking a classic, museum-style presentation can choose our premium wooden frames, crafted from responsibly sourced oak or ash with visible natural grain and protected with shatterproof plexiglass. And for a sleek, contemporary finish, our aluminium frames pair clean black metal with heavyweight matte paper for a polished, modern aesthetic. All prints use FSC-certified paper and high-quality inks, arrive ready to hang or assemble, and are produced on demand in the UK to reduce waste and ensure the highest standard of craftsmanship.
