Who painted Jain Temple, Calcutta?

Jain Temple, Calcutta was painted by A. W. A. Plâté Studio in 1894.

Where can I see Jain Temple, Calcutta?

Jain Temple, Calcutta is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Jain Temple, Calcutta?

Jain Temple, Calcutta is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Jain Temple, Calcutta

A. W. A. Plâté Studio , 1894

Jain Temple, Calcutta is a photography by the Impressionist artist A. W. A. Plâté Studio. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2009.13
Credit line: Jo Hershey Selden Fund

About this work

Overview

This 1890s photograph depicts a vibrant Jain temple in Calcutta (now Kolkata), distinguished by its extensive use of colored glass tiles that reflect light across its walls.

Subject & Meaning

The temple, dedicated to the 23rd Jina Parshva, was commissioned by Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim, a Jain jeweler who relocated to Calcutta from Lucknow. A portrait sculpture of Mookim is featured in the forecourt, viewed from behind under a domed pavilion.

Technique & Style

The work utilizes a rare photographic process, resulting in an image that resembles a print rather than a traditional painting, an unusual characteristic for art of the 1890s.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1867, the temple hosts significant annual events like the Paryushan festival, where sacred manuscripts, notably the Kalpa-sutra, are displayed, carried in processions, and read aloud.

Context

The temple's construction reflects the migration of Jain merchants from northern India to Calcutta during its 19th-century urban growth, highlighting the community's religious and cultural establishment in the city.

Legacy

The photograph is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, where it can be viewed in person, offering a glimpse into late 19th-century Jain religious architecture and community life in Calcutta.