Copy of painting inside the caves of Ajanta (cave 17)

The composition illustrates episodes from the Prabhasa Jataka, one of the many stories recounting the previous lives of the Buddha. The scenes convey moral teachings central to Buddhist doctrine, emphasizing virtues such as generosity and compassion.

Rendered in oil on canvas, the copy mirrors the original fresco technique through careful modeling of figures and use of muted earth tones. The artists employed a realistic approach to detail, yet retained the stylized gestures characteristic of the Ajanta murals.

After Major Robert Gill’s 1844 copies were largely lost in the 1866 fire, the British artist John Griffiths, together with seven Indian apprentices, undertook a systematic program of copying Ajanta murals each winter from 1872 onward. This painting is one of roughly 300 reproductions produced during that thirteen‑year effort.

The Ajanta caves, rediscovered in 1819, contain the oldest surviving Indian wall paintings, illustrating Buddhist Jataka tales. The 19th‑century copying project aimed to preserve these fragile artworks for scholarship, as the original frescoes were vulnerable to decay and damage.

Although the copy itself suffered fire damage, it remains a valuable documentary source for researchers studying the lost or deteriorated sections of the Ajanta murals. The collaborative work of Griffiths and his Indian students exemplifies early cross‑cultural art preservation initiatives.