Linnaeus Tripe
Tanjore. Great Pagoda, Entrance Looking Outwards

ArtistBritish, 1822–1902
CultureBritish
Titles
  • Tanjore. Great Pagoda, Entrance Looking Outwards
DateMarch/April 1858
PlaceIndia
MediumAlbumen silver print from paper negative
DimensionsImage: 10 7/16 x 13 11/16 in. (26.5 x 34.8 cm)
Sheet: 10 7/16 × 13 11/16 in. (26.5 × 34.8 cm)
Mount: 17 5/8 × 22 1/2 in. (44.7 × 57.2 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Brown Foundation Accessions Endowment Fund, The Manfred Heiting Collection
Object number2004.750
Not on view

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Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

One of the first photographers appointed by the British
government, Linnaeus Tripe was enlisted to document historic buildings and
religious temples. From March to April 1858, Tripe photographed Thanjavur’s
renowned “Great Pagoda,” the Rajaraesvara temple that is one of South India’s
greatest Chola temple complexes. Tripe’s dramatic compositions and painted-in
skies enhance the natural beauty of the 11th-century structure. The British
considered themselves stewards of India’s monuments following the assumption of
Crown rule in 1858, and pictures such as Tripe’s were published with text
suggesting that under colonial control “a brighter day has already dawned in
India.”




Provenanceex-collection Newberry Library, Chicago; Sotheby's, New York, October 31, 1989, lot 12;
Exhibition History"India Through the Camera's Eye," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 7–August 12, 2018.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Embossed seal centered below image on mount with initials: LT // PHOTOGRAPHER TO GOVERNMENT
Printed sticker pasted on mount at right corner of image: 14
There is no evident signature.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Tanjore.  Great Pagoda.  Side Entrance to the Interior of the Bimanum
Linnaeus Tripe
1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.749
Tanjore.  Great Pagoda.  Northern side of the Great Central Tower and the Temple of Parvati
Linnaeus Tripe
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Albumen silver print from paper negative
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Tanjore.  Great Pagoda.  West and South Sides of Basement of Bimanum
Linnaeus Tripe
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Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.748
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Linnaeus Tripe
1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.743
Tanjore.  Great Pagoda.  South Facade of Small Chapel
Linnaeus Tripe
March/April 1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.757
Tanjore. Great Pagoda, Gopurum from One Side Fort Wall
Linnaeus Tripe
March/April 1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.751
Tanjore.  Great Pagoda.  Sacred Cistern and Water Spout belonging to the Subrahmanya Temple
Linnaeus Tripe
1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.744
Tanjore.  The Seven Storied Tower of the Palace
Linnaeus Tripe
1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.746
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Linnaeus Tripe
1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.753
The Ghats at Trivady
Linnaeus Tripe
1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.747
Trichinopoly,  Rock from the East
Linnaeus Tripe
1858
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.756
Amerapoora. View at North End of the Wooden Bridge
Linnaeus Tripe
1855
Albumen silver print from paper negative
2004.745