Artwork

Palace of the Bhurtpore Rajahs, Dëeg

Palace of the Bhurtpore Rajahs, Dëeg, by Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet, 1866
Palace of the Bhurtpore Rajahs, Dëeg, by Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet, 1866

Palace of the Bhurtpore Rajahs, Dëeg is a photography by the Impressionist artist Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Palace of the Bhurtpore Rajahs, Dëeg is a photograph capturing the grandeur of a Rajput palace in India, characterized by white walls, arched windows, and bustling courtyard activity under a bright sky.

Subject & Meaning

The image documents the architectural splendor of the Bhurtpore Rajahs' palace, conveying the opulence of Rajput power in 19th-century northern India.

Technique & Style

Taken by self-taught photographer Rousselet in the 1860s, the photograph demonstrates his adept composition skills, blending artistic sensibility with early photographic technology.

History & Provenance

Created during Rousselet's Indian travels in the 1860s, the photograph is part of a collection spanning Sultanate, Rajput, and Mughal sites, as well as Indian industry and rulers.

Context

Rousselet's adoption of photography stemmed from his dissatisfaction with drawings as a medium to capture India's monumental grandeur, reflecting the era's technological and artistic evolution.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.