Western Gateway (Gopuram) of the Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple, Madurai

1858

Captain Linnaeus Tripe

(British, 1822–1902)

Culture

England, 19th century

Medium

albumenized salt print

Measurements

Image: 38 x 30.2 cm (14 15/16 x 11 7/8 in.); Image with black margin: 39.5 x 31.2 cm (15 9/16 x 12 5/16 in.); Paper: 39.5 x 31.2 cm (15 9/16 x 12 5/16 in.)

Credit Line

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2020.208

Catalogue raisonné

Dewan: CR6-135

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

An important pilgrimage site for centuries, this temple continues to draw tens of thousands of worshippers per day.

Description

This photograph features part of the same temple complex seen in the panoramic collage by Masumi Hayashi CMA 2015.95. Initially established during the 1100s, it was expanded on multiple occasions over the next 500 years. The addition of a series of enclosure walls included gateways topped by towering superstructures ornamented with miniature temples and images of deities. The monochrome monumentality of Tripe’s early photographic image, purposefully devoid of human activity, gives the impression of a timeless wonder. He would have had to clear the scene of worshipers and onlookers to achieve the pristine effect.