Great Pagoda, Great Bull, Front View, Tanjore, India (Rajarajeshvara Temple), plate 12 from Photographic Views of Tanjore and Trivady (Madras: Madras Presidency)
1857
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1857
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a giant stone bull inside a pillared pavilion. The bull sits on a painted base—red and white stripes—and faces the temple’s inner sanctum. This photo was taken in 1857 by a British officer who documented Indian temples. Tripe left people out, focusing only on the architecture and sculpture. The quiet, empty space makes the bull feel even bigger. Look up more photos of temple architecture like this at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
