Agra School, circa 1820

Elevation and detail of the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal's tombs, within the screen of the Taj Mahal; and Elevation of Akbar's tomb at Sikandra

Details

Agra School, circa 1820
Elevation and detail of the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal's tombs, within the screen of the Taj Mahal; and Elevation of Akbar's tomb at Sikandra
inscribed with identifying titles and historical information and numbered respectively '6', '18', '19', '20', and '22' (upper right)
pencil, pen and black and grey ink and watercolour, heightened with touches of bodycolour, within the artist's black-lined border, one with watermark 'J WHATMAN 1816', unframed
8.1/8 x 10 in. (20.6 x 26 cm.); and a view of the screen surrounding the tombs inside the Taj Mahal by a different hand (6)

Lot Essay

Although the Taj Mahal was only intended as the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan was later buried beside that of his beloved wife. The top of Mumtaz Mahal's tomb is decorated with verses from the Quran and Shah Jahan's tomb (illustrated) is decorated with a small elevated block representing a pen box, the symbol of the tomb of a male.

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