Perumal Temple Vimana from Corner of Court, Madurai
1858
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1858
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a tall, carved stone tower rising against a bright sky, its steps and arches empty. Tripe took this photo in 1858 with early camera gear that needed long, still exposures. People moving would blur, so the temple looks quiet—maybe even cleared for the shot. The details in the stone carvings stand out sharp, but the human life around them is gone. Look up more photos by Captain Linnaeus Tripe (British, 1822–1902) to see how he framed India’s buildings.
