Elevation of the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), Agra

1819

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century Architectural

Dominant colour

Elevation of the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), Agra is a 1819 by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1819 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This drawing shows a long, symmetrical building with tall arches and domes in the background. The walls are smooth and pale, with rows of pointed arches lining the front. The ground is flat and tiled, leading up to a raised platform where the arches sit. Notice the small details like the tiny spires on top of each dome—each one is carefully drawn. The artist focused on clean lines and even spacing, making the whole scene feel balanced. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with lines.

The story of this work

Overview

This drawing depicts the elevation of the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in Agra, one of fifteen illustrations of Mughal architecture and ornamental details on Agra monuments. It was produced by Delhi artists working in Calcutta for Colonel Pownell Phipps between 1816 and 1822. The work is part of a portfolio given by Colonel R.W. Phipps and entered the museum’s collection in 1924.

Read the full account in the museum source.