Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
1866
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1866
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh is a 1866 photographic by Samuel Bourne, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This black-and-white photo shows a group of giant stone statues carved into a rocky cliff. The figures stand tall, some with their arms crossed, others holding objects. Smaller carvings fill the spaces between them, like people and animals. The surface looks worn, with cracks and missing pieces. This is a photo of the Ellora Caves in India, where these statues were carved directly into the rock. The scale of the figures makes them look like they’re part of the mountain itself. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this photo in person.
The photograph shows rock-carved figures at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, produced as an albumen print by Samuel Bourne in 1866. Bourne, who had transitioned from banking to professional photography, documented India during the colonial period, creating images intended largely for European audiences. His work reflects both technical skill and an Orientalist perspective that aligned with Western expectations of the region. The image is part of a broader effort to visually represent India under British colonial influence.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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