Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 17)
Oil Painting
1881-1883 (made)
1881-1883 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The cave paintings of Ajanta are the oldest surviving examples of painting in India. They depict stories from the lives of the Buddha (the jatakas) and date from the 1st century BC to about AD 480. The cave complex was discovered in 1819 and since then attempts have been made to document the paintings inside them. In 1844 Major Robert Gill was commissioned to make copies. Unfortunately most of the paintings he completed were destroyed in a fire in 1866. To make up for this loss, from 1872, John Griffiths from the Bombay school of Art and seven Indian students spent every winter for the following 13 years at the caves producing approximately 300 paintings, of which this is an example.
The white patches on the painting are placed over fragile areas that require conservation work.
The white patches on the painting are placed over fragile areas that require conservation work.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Titles |
|
| Materials and techniques | Oil on canvas |
| Brief description | Copy of Fresco 'V' in Cave '17' in the caves of Ajanta by John Griffiths and students from the Bombay School of Art, oil on canvas, 1872-1885, India. |
| Physical description | This painting has been blackened by fire and water damage. Not all parts are clearly visible. The painting is split into two sections with the bottom quarter showing incomplete scenes set in a rocky, tree filled landscape. In the top section of the painting, on the right hand side there is a palace setting with a group of people that are difficult to identify. On the left hand side is a much simpler domestic structure inside which are lots of pots stacked on top of each other along with two antelopes and two male figures. There are many figures and another simple structure in the middle section of the painting – this section is more damaged than others. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | V. Front wall, cave 17
9' 9" wide - 7'6" high (On back of canvas) |
| Credit line | Received from the India Office |
| Object history | Commissioned by the Government of India between 1872-1885 and deposited in the India Museum, London. Historical significance: This painting depicts scenes from the Mrga Jataka. Received from the India Office. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. |
| Historical context | The cave paintings of Ajanta are the oldest surviving examples of painting in India. They depict stories from the lives of the Buddha (the jatakas) and date from the 1st century BC to about AD 480. The cave complex was discovered in 1819 and since then attempts have been made to document the paintings inside them. In 1844 Major Robert Gill was commissioned to make copies. Unfortunately most of the paintings he completed were destroyed in a fire in 1866. To make up for this loss, from 1872, John Griffiths from the Bombay school of Art and seven Indian students spent every winter for the following 13 years at the caves producing approximately 300 paintings, of which this is an example. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | The cave paintings of Ajanta are the oldest surviving examples of painting in India. They depict stories from the lives of the Buddha (the jatakas) and date from the 1st century BC to about AD 480. The cave complex was discovered in 1819 and since then attempts have been made to document the paintings inside them. In 1844 Major Robert Gill was commissioned to make copies. Unfortunately most of the paintings he completed were destroyed in a fire in 1866. To make up for this loss, from 1872, John Griffiths from the Bombay school of Art and seven Indian students spent every winter for the following 13 years at the caves producing approximately 300 paintings, of which this is an example. The white patches on the painting are placed over fragile areas that require conservation work. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.96-1887 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 25, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
