Who painted Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1)?

Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1) was painted by Robert Gill in 1852.

Where can I see Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1)?

Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1) is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1)?

Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1) is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1)

Robert Gill , 1852

Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 1) is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Robert Gill. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting is a 19th-century copy of an ancient mural from Ajanta's Cave 1, replicating scenes from two Jataka tales: the Janaka Jataka and the Sankhapala Jataka. The original dates back to between the 1st century BC and AD 480.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts episodes from the Buddha's past lives, as narrated in the Janaka and Sankhapala Jatakas. Figures in robes and halos are arranged in rows, with one figure holding a bowl, conveying religious and narrative themes central to Buddhist art.

Technique & Style

Executed in earthy reds and browns, the copy reflects the faded, crumbling state of the original cave mural. Delicate details, such as jewelry and lotus flowers, highlight the meticulous craftsmanship of both the ancient Indian artists and the copyist.

History & Provenance

Commissioned in 1844, this copy was made by Major Robert Gill. Originally part of a set of over 30, most were lost in the 1866 Crystal Palace fire, leaving this as one of only four surviving examples, now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum.