Artwork
Taj Mahal Viewed from the Garden
Taj Mahal Viewed from the Garden is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist William Simpson. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
William Simpson painted the Taj Mahal from its garden in 1864. He trained as a lithographer and traveled India after the 1857 uprising. This work shows his sharp eye for well-known sights.
Simpson sketched quickly in pencil, then added color washes for later paintings. He visited India four times over 25 years.
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Overview
Taj Mahal Viewed from the Garden is a watercolor painting by William Simpson, created after his travels to India in the mid-19th century.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Taj Mahal, a Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, as seen from its garden. Europeans and local gardeners are shown in the foreground amidst flowerpots.
Technique & Style
Simpson's process involved making rapid pencil sketches on site, later enhanced with color washes, which he then used to develop finished watercolors in his London studio.
History & Provenance
Simpson visited India four times between 1859 and 1884, initially commissioned by William Day and Son to document sites associated with the 1857 Indian uprising. Many of his watercolors, including this one, were sold as part of Day and Son's bankrupt stock in 1869.
Artist & collection
