Artwork

Elevation of the facade of the Khas Mahal, private apartments, Agra Fort, with the adjoining golden pavilions

Elevation of the facade of the Khas Mahal, private apartments, Agra Fort, with the adjoining golden pavilions is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This drawing depicts the facade of the Khas Mahal, a private apartment within Agra Fort, along with its adjacent pavilions.

About this work

In front, there’s a wide staircase leading up to the entrance, with a low wall and small posts along the bottom.

This drawing shows a grand building with arched windows, domed roofs, and a long balcony. The walls are light-colored stone, and the domes gleam gold. In front, there’s a wide staircase leading up to the entrance, with a low wall and small posts along the bottom.

The artist focused on the details of the arches and domes, mixing soft colors with sharp lines. This was made around 1816–1822 as a precise architectural sketch.

Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

Overview

This drawing depicts the facade of the Khas Mahal, a private apartment within Agra Fort, along with its adjacent pavilions. It is a precise architectural rendering created between 1816 and 1822.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing shows the Khas Mahal's grand architecture, featuring arched windows, domed roofs, and a long balcony. The use of light-colored stone and golden domes conveys the building's opulence.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a mix of soft colors and sharp lines to capture the intricate details of the arches and domes, resulting in a detailed architectural sketch.

History & Provenance

The drawing was created by Delhi artists working in Calcutta for Colonel Pownell Phipps. It was later donated by his son to the museum, as part of a portfolio of fifteen works documenting Mughal architecture.