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Untitled

Samuel Bourne

1864

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Untitled is a 1864 photographic by Samuel Bourne, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Samuel Bourne
When & what style?: 1864 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This photo shows a dark, ornate room with heavy stone pillars carved into intricate patterns. Statues of people and animals sit on shelves, and a window with bars lets in dim light. The walls have detailed carvings, and the floor looks worn. The photo was taken in the 1860s, showing how people documented grand architecture back then. The room’s heavy shadows and textures make it feel old and mysterious. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more historic photos like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The photograph depicts an intricately carved temple sculpture of the Well of Knowledge in Benares, created by Samuel Bourne in 1864. Bourne, a former bank clerk who later became a prominent photographer in India, produced this image as part of his documentation of the British Empire’s colonial holdings. His work catered primarily to European audiences, offering a view of India as an exotic and distant colonized land. This photograph reflects Bourne’s technical skill and his ability to align with Western Orientalist perceptions of the region.

Read the full account in the museum source.