Artwork

Pietra-dura inlay work on the side of the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, Agra.

Pietra-dura inlay work on the side of the cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, Agra. is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This drawing depicts the pietra-dura inlay ornamentation on the side of Shah Jahan's cenotaph within the Taj Mahal in Agra, focusing on intricate floral patterns rather than the overall structure.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a detailed representation of the decorative stonework from the Taj Mahal, highlighting the artistic and craftsmanship aspects of Mughal architecture.

Technique & Style

Executed by Delhi artists in Calcutta, the drawing features vibrant, albeit now faded, colors and meticulous rendering of floral motifs, characteristic of documenting Mughal ornamental details.

History & Provenance

Created between 1816 and 1822 for Colonel Pownell Phipps, the drawing was later donated by his son, Colonel R.W. Phipps, as part of a set of fifteen drawings of Agra's Mughal monuments.