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 John Griffiths in 1874.

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 Impressionism.

Artwork

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

John Griffiths , 1874

Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (Cave 1) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist John Griffiths. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Most of Major Robert Gill’s earlier copies burned in 1866, so Griffiths and his students recreated them each winter for years.

John Griffiths made this oil copy in 1873–74 of a cave painting in India. The original 1st-century-BC artwork in Ajanta Cave 1 tells stories of the Buddha’s past lives, called Jatakas. This panel shows the Champaka Jataka.

White patches on the copy mark fragile areas needing care. Most of Major Robert Gill’s earlier copies burned in 1866, so Griffiths and his students recreated them each winter for years.

Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This oil painting is a copy of a 1st-century-BC mural from Ajanta Cave 1 in India, created by John Griffiths and his students in 1873–74.

Subject & Meaning

The original cave painting depicts the Champaka Jataka, a story from the Buddha's past lives, as part of a larger narrative cycle known as the Jatakas.

Technique & Style

The copy is executed in oil paint and features white patches indicating areas of the original that are fragile and require conservation.

History & Provenance

Griffiths and his students from the Bombay School of Art produced around 300 copies of the Ajanta cave paintings between 1872 and 1885, following earlier attempts by Major Robert Gill that were largely lost in a fire in 1866.