Relief panel of white marble with inlaid border of pietra-dura work on the inside of the entrance to the Taj Mahal, Agra.

1819

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Relief panel of white marble with inlaid border of pietra-dura work on the inside of the entrance to the Taj Mahal, 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 framed scene of two tall vases with tall plants spilling over their rims. The vases sit on a low platform, surrounded by small bushes and a few scattered leaves. The border around the scene is packed with colorful flowers and swirling vines in reds, greens, and blues. The outer frame looks like it’s made of stone, with a repeating pattern of leaves and flowers. The colors fade slightly in the center, giving it an old, worn look. If you like this kind of detailed floral art, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

A white marble relief panel with an inlaid pietra-dura border is depicted on the interior of the Taj Mahal’s entrance in Agra, one of fifteen drawings of Mughal architecture and ornamental details from the site. The drawing belongs to a portfolio created by Delhi artists in Calcutta for Colonel Pownell Phipps between 1816 and 1822. It was later donated by his son, Colonel R.W. Phipps, and is part of the museum’s holdings.

Read the full account in the museum source.