View of the Taj Mahal from the Gate, Agra
1860s–70s
Medium
Albumen silver print from glass negative
Dimensions
22.0 x 28.0 cm (8 11/16 x 11 in.)
Classification
Photographs
Department
Photographs
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Matthew Dontzin, 1985
Accession Number
1985.1168.26
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step through the grand gateway in this captivating 1860s–70s albumen silver print and behold the majestic Taj emerging in the distance—a timeless vision of Mughal splendor captured from Agra's entrance gate. Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the1630s as a mausoleum for his beloved wifetaz Mahal, the's white marble domes and minarets glow ethereally, framed by lush gardens and reflecting pools, symbolizing eternal love and architectural perfection. This photograph, produced via the albumen silver process from a glass negative, exemplifies mid-19th-century photography's technical triumphs. ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...