Artwork Page for Kirwuttee, A Temple, India

Details / Information for Kirwuttee, A Temple, India

Kirwuttee, A Temple, India

c. 1857

William Henry Pigou

(British, 1818–1858)
Culture
England, 19th century
Medium
albumen print from paper negative
Measurements
Image: 27.6 x 38.9 cm (10 7/8 x 15 5/16 in.); Image with border: 31.6 x 42.6 cm (12 7/16 x 16 3/4 in.); Paper: 35.7 x 55 cm (14 1/16 x 21 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Photography Discretionary Fund 2019.54
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

This building primarily has miniature temple models as its exterior ornamentation in combination with only a few figural sculptures.

Description

William Henry Pigou, a medical doctor who was an amateur photographer, spent 1856–57 working for the British colonial government recording ancient Indian monuments. This image of the temple at Kirwuttee (current accepted spelling is Kuruvatti) was taken around two years after the introduction of photography to India.

This building primarily has miniature temple models as its exterior ornamentation in combination with only a few figural sculptures.
A horizontally oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a close-up exterior of Kirwuttee temple. Centered, a sculpture of a figure stands shadowed in a niche on top of which an ornate miniature temple with walls radiating out in squared, receding layers is carved. Smaller miniature temples are shown on top of columns, flanking at the edges of the photograph.

Kirwuttee, A Temple, India

c. 1857

William Henry Pigou

(British, 1818–1858)
England, 19th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork