Lot Essay
On his first trip to India, Simpson visited Delhi twice, once between 29 November 1859 and 14 January 1860, and once between 9 October to the beginning of November 1860. The sketch for this finished watercolour may date from either of these periods. Simpson, who had a keen and acute eye for Moghul architecture, and in fact published several works on diverse types of architecture, was scathing of British 'Taj-Worship' and disregard for what he felt to be superior examples of Moghul architecture. He noted 'Very few people pay any real attention to the details of architecture' he notes (The Autobiography etc, op.cit., p.126). The Jami Masjid in Delhi, built between 1644-58 by 5,000 workmen, is the largest mosque in India and the last great architectural work of emperor Shah Jahan.