Artwork

Shimla. View on the Mall in Winter

Shimla. View on the Mall in Winter, by Samuel Bourne, 1866
Shimla. View on the Mall in Winter, by Samuel Bourne, 1866

Shimla. View on the Mall in Winter is a photography by the Impressionist artist Samuel Bourne. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This photograph, titled 'Shimla.

About this work

Bourne lugged his heavy camera up the mountains in the 1860s, capturing places most Brits back home had never seen.

You see a snowy street in Shimla, India, lined with British-style buildings and bare trees. A few people in heavy coats walk along the slushy road.

This painting is actually a photograph—one of the first taken in the Himalayas. Bourne lugged his heavy camera up the mountains in the 1860s, capturing places most Brits back home had never seen. The snow makes the scene feel quiet, almost like a pause in time.

If you like this, look up *Samuel Bourne (British, 1834–1912)*. His photos show how the British saw India before modern changes.

Overview

This photograph, titled 'Shimla. View on the Mall in Winter', captures a winter scene in Shimla, India. It is part of a collection of images taken in the 1860s by Samuel Bourne, a British photographer.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a snow-covered street lined with British-style buildings and bare trees. A few people in heavy coats are seen walking on the slushy road, conveying a sense of quiet and stillness.

Technique & Style

The photograph is notable for being one of the earliest taken in the Himalayas. Bourne's work provides a valuable visual record of the region during the 1860s, showcasing his skill in capturing the landscape with his camera.

History & Provenance

Samuel Bourne, the photographer, traveled to the Himalayas in the 1860s, carrying his camera equipment to capture images of the region. His photographs offer a historical record of the area before significant changes occurred in the 20th century.

Context

This image is part of a larger album containing 50 photographs taken by Bourne in the 1860s. The album documents various locations, including hill towns in the Himalayas and major cities in India, providing insight into how the British perceived India during that era.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Samuel Bourne

Artist

Samuel Bourne

Samuel Bourne was a British photographer known for his prolific seven years' work in India, from 1863 to 1870.

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