Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 2)
Oil Painting
1874-1875 (made)
1874-1875 (made)
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| Place of origin |
This is a copy of a painting in cave 2 at Ajanta. The white patches cover fragile areas that require conservation work. It depicts a scene set in the clouds, with the god Indra in the centre. He can be identified by his third eye and crown. The green demonic figure is meant to be playing a kettledrum and is probably a personification of the tempestuous storm.
These cave paintings date from the 1st century BC to about AD 480 and are the oldest surviving examples of painting in India. They depict stories from the lives of the Buddha (the Jatakas).
The cave complex was discovered in 1819 and attempts were 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 to 1885 John Griffiths from the Bombay School of Art and seven Indian students spent every winter at the caves. This is one of the approximately 300 paintings they produced.
These cave paintings date from the 1st century BC to about AD 480 and are the oldest surviving examples of painting in India. They depict stories from the lives of the Buddha (the Jatakas).
The cave complex was discovered in 1819 and attempts were 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 to 1885 John Griffiths from the Bombay School of Art and seven Indian students spent every winter at the caves. This is one of the approximately 300 paintings they produced.
Object details
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| Materials and techniques | Oil on canvas |
| Brief description | Copy of painting in the caves of Ajanta by John Griffiths and students of the Bombay School of Art. |
| Physical description | In the centre of the painting is a male figure with an ornate crown. He has a third eye and indicates that this is the god Indra. A female figure, his wife, can just be made out to his right hand side. On his left is a green demon raising her hand. Above the demon or two more figures, one of which wears a crown. On the left hand side of the painting there are two figures dressed as ascetics. They are all surrounded by clouds. |
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| Object history | Commissioned by the Government of India between 1872-1885 and deposited in the India Museum, London. Historical significance: According to Zin's book this section of the painting can be interprested as follows: The central figure is Indra, recognised by his third eye and crown. The figure to his left is probably his wife. The green demonic figure is meant to be playing a kettledrum and is likely to be a personification of the tempestuous storm. The two men above the demon may be representations of Indra’s heaven, the Trayastrima. The two figures dressed as ascetics are Bramakayikas, god’s from Brahama’s heaven. |
| 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 one. |
| Production | Painted by John Griffiths and students from the Bombay School of Art |
| Subject depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | This is a copy of a painting in cave 2 at Ajanta. The white patches cover fragile areas that require conservation work. It depicts a scene set in the clouds, with the god Indra in the centre. He can be identified by his third eye and crown. The green demonic figure is meant to be playing a kettledrum and is probably a personification of the tempestuous storm. These cave paintings date from the 1st century BC to about AD 480 and are the oldest surviving examples of painting in India. They depict stories from the lives of the Buddha (the Jatakas). The cave complex was discovered in 1819 and attempts were 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 to 1885 John Griffiths from the Bombay School of Art and seven Indian students spent every winter at the caves. This is one of the approximately 300 paintings they produced. |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.20-1885 |
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| Record created | August 11, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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