Fifteen drawings of Mughal architecture and ornamental detail on Mughal monuments at Agra.

1819

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Fifteen drawings of Mughal architecture and ornamental detail on Mughal monuments at 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 faded beige surface with simple, bold shapes painted on it. There are three bright red flowers with blue-green centers, and two dark blue leaves with wavy edges. The background is plain, but the colors stand out against the worn paper. The flowers look like they’re hand-painted with care, almost like a pattern. The edges of the paper are slightly torn, making it feel old and delicate. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The drawing depicts pietra-dura inlay work on the side of the cenotaph of Shah Jahan at the Taj Mahal in Agra. It is one of fifteen drawings of Mughal architecture and ornamental details on monuments in Agra, created by Delhi artists working in Calcutta for Colonel Pownell Phipps between 1816 and 1822. The portfolio was later donated to the collection by Colonel R.W. Phipps in 1923.

Read the full account in the museum source.