The Taj Mahal viewed from across the river
Drawing
ca. 1820 (drawn)
ca. 1820 (drawn)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
‘Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars.
This painting is a view of the Taj Mahal from across the river with six barges anchored along the far bank. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate his deceased wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal ('Elect of the Palace'), who died in 1631, shortly after giving birth to their fourteenth child. Work was begun in 1632, and the mausoleum was completed in 1653.
This painting is a view of the Taj Mahal from across the river with six barges anchored along the far bank. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate his deceased wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal ('Elect of the Palace'), who died in 1631, shortly after giving birth to their fourteenth child. Work was begun in 1632, and the mausoleum was completed in 1653.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | The Taj Mahal viewed from across the river (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Watercolour on paper |
Brief description | Architectural drawing, Delhi or Agra, ca.1820 |
Physical description | The Taj Mahal viewed from across the river with six laden barges anchored beside the far bank. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Gallery label | THE TAJ MAHAL, AGRA
Watercolour on paper
Delhi or Agra
c. 1820
AL 9232G
Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. She died in 1631 giving birth to her 14th child. Completed in 1643, the Taj is regarded as the greatest achievement of Mughal architecture because of its perfect synthesis of symmetry and simplicity of form. Constructed from white marble extracted from Makrana in Rajasthan, it has Quranic inscriptions and finely detailed floral decoration, both inlaid with semi-precious stones. Shah Jahan is also buried here.(27/9/2013) |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | ‘Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars. This painting is a view of the Taj Mahal from across the river with six barges anchored along the far bank. The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate his deceased wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal ('Elect of the Palace'), who died in 1631, shortly after giving birth to their fourteenth child. Work was begun in 1632, and the mausoleum was completed in 1653. |
Bibliographic references |
|
Other number | 9232 - Previous number |
Collection | |
Accession number | AL.9232G |
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 | December 15, 1999 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest