PhotographsIndian19th century

Gateway to Akbar's tomb with carriage in front, Sikandar, negative no. 221

1870s

Description

A stately view of the entranceway to the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar (d. 1605). The entrance gate sits in the center of the composition on a low horizon line created by the garden courtyard of the tomb. Leafy trees enliven the scene in the foreground and to either side of the tomb. The sky fills over half the height of the composition. The gateway itself is base upon Persianate design with a tall central iwan flanked by two tiers each containing a smaller arch. The gate is capped by small cupola at each of the corners of the central iwan and is punctuated by four corner minarets. The photograph contains a great deal of tonal variety between the foliage and the painted designs on the architecture.

Classification

Photographs

Technique

Albumen silver print

Culture

Indian

Century

19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art