The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 19, 2024
Taj Mahal, Back View of the Rest-House, with Figure
c. 1858–1862
(Scottish, 1809–1898)
Image: 39.7 x 44.8 cm (15 5/8 x 17 5/8 in.); Paper: 40.5 x 44.8 cm (15 15/16 x 17 5/8 in.); Matted: 55.9 x 66 cm (22 x 26 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1999.215.1
Location: not on view
Description
Although Dr. John Murray enjoyed a distinguished medical career as a surgeon, administrator, and leader in the fight against cholera, he is now best known for his superb paper negative photographs of India. Having lived near the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra for 20 years, Dr. Murray took great interest in the monument, photographing it from numerous perspectives and under varying light conditions. In this print, he chose an elevated viewpoint to compose an intriguing rendering of the Rest-House. The paper negative was waxed before sensitizing, improving its translucency and allowing the photographer to render his architectural subject matter in broad areas of light and dark, emphasizing the building's bold geometric forms. The surrounding, picturesque landscape adds both visual interest and complexity to the composition. Seated figures in the foreground provide an indication of scale and the sense of wonder that might be experienced in the presence of this vast monument.- Indian Gallery 242b Rotation – November 2017-April 2018. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (November 10, 2017-April 16, 2018).Travel Photography: Early Images of India. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 2-July 17, 2002).CMA, March 2 - July 17, 2002; "Travel Photography: Images of India". No catalog.
- {{cite web|title=Taj Mahal, Back View of the Rest-House, with Figure|url=false|author=Dr. John Murray|year=c. 1858–1862|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1999.215.1