Monumental Entrance of the Gardens, Secundra

Concerned that his drawings did not do justice to the splendor of India’s monuments, Rousselet learned photography in India that year, a remarkable accomplishment. He proved to be a talented photographer with a sophisticated sense of composition. The scenes in this volume sweep across sites of Sultanate, Rajput, and Mughal power in northern India, from the sacred Hindu city of Varanasi on the Ganges River to Alwar in Rajasthan. Also included are several scenes of industry and portraits of Indian rulers.

A sepia-toned print features a massive stone gateway with a towering central arch, its surface dense with intricate geometric carvings. Four tall, cylindrical minarets rise at the corners, some ending in jagged, broken tops. Large, leafy trees flank the entrance, their dark foliage contrasting with the pale masonry. A small figure stands in the archway's deep shadow. Elegant typography below labels the scene "MONUMENTAL ENTRANCE OF THE GARDENS" at "Secundra."

Monumental Entrance of the Gardens, Secundra

1865–68, published 1869–70

Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet

(French, 1845–1929)

France, 19th century

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