2006.263: Great Pagoda, Tanjore

Identification and Creation

Object Number

2006.263

People

Samuel Bourne, British (Nottingham, England 1834 - 1912 Nottingham, England)

Title

Great Pagoda, Tanjore

Classification

Photographs

Work Type

photograph

Date

c. 1870

Places

Creation Place: South Asia, India, Tamil Nadu, Tanjore

Culture

Indian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/317664

Physical Descriptions

Technique

Albumen silver print

Dimensions

29.21 x 23.81 cm (11 1/2 x 9 3/8 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Catherine and Ralph Benkaim in honor of Thomas W. Lentz, Jr.

Accession Year

2006

Object Number

2006.263

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

Samuel Bourne no. 2047. The rear of the great Siva temple Rajarajeshwara (listed here as "pagoda" in the inscription) of Thanjuvur (Tanjore) from the northwest. Through its central placement and close framing of massive granite tower of this Chola Dynasty temple (standing over 200 ft. in height), the photograph communicates the monumentality and grandeur of the structure. The scale is further emphasized by the inclusion of two white-clad figures in the foreground who are dwarfed by the monument. A narrow section of the enclosure, replete with figural sculpture arranged in tier is visible in the foreground in the lower left corner of the composition.

Exhibition History

• 32Q: 2100 19th Century, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 07/18/2019 - 10/31/2019

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