1882
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 17) is a 1882 oil by John Griffiths, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This is an oil painting from 1881–83, based on ancient cave murals in India. It shows scenes from a Buddhist story. The painter worked with Indian students over many years. The original cave paintings are very old—some date back 2,000 years. A fire in 1866 destroyed many earlier copies, so this one was made to preserve the art. Look up the artist Griffiths, John next.
This painting, damaged by fire, shows only fragments of its original composition. A central throne-like structure is visible, with the lower half of a seated figure—likely a king—discernible inside it. Surrounding the throne are several figures, including two men in white garments positioned prominently at the front. The work illustrates scenes from the Prabhasa Jataka, part of the Buddha’s past-life narratives depicted in the Ajanta caves.
Read the full account in the museum source.
John Griffiths (29 November 1837 – 1 December 1918) was a Welsh artist who worked in India, noted for his Orientalist works.
See the richer artist page
