Art Whisper Open the appOpen app
Agra. The Taj, the Central of Principal City by Samuel Bourne

Agra. The Taj, the Central of Principal City

Samuel Bourne · 1863

Scroll

“This photograph provides a rare glimpse of the Taj Mahal and Agra in the 1860s, capturing the monument's breathtaking scale and historical context before modern restorations. It's a testament to early travel photography's ability to document distant wonders.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This albumen print captures the majestic scale of the Taj Mahal, seen from a distance that emphasizes its architectural grandeur within the city of Agra. Taken around 1863, the photograph offers a valuable historical record, showing the iconic monument before the extensive restorations of the 20th century. The soft light and careful composition draw the eye to the Taj's gleaming white marble, contrasting with the surrounding landscape and structures. It's one of 50 images in an album that documented a journey through Northern India, from the Himalayan foothills to major cities, providing a comprehensive visual survey of the region's monuments and urban settings. The photographer, Samuel Bourne, left a career in banking in England to pursue his passion for photography in India, undertaking ambitious expeditions to capture such scenes.

DETAILS
Artist
Samuel Bourne
Date
1863
Medium
albumen print
Location
Cleveland Museum of Art
Dimensions
[object Object]
Collection
Photography
Culture
England
Credit line
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Agra. The Taj, the Central of Principal City
01

Observe the Taj Mahal's pristine white marble, standing out against the sky.

02

Notice the smaller structures and trees that frame the main monument.

03

Look at the subtle details of the surrounding city, hinting at its expanse.

04

See the delicate texture and tonal range characteristic of an albumen print.

AUDIO DEEP DIVE

Stand in front of it and listen

The full narration walks you through Agra. The Taj, the Central of Principal City — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

Get the free app
0:00Preview · 0:30Free preview · 0:30 Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST

Samuel Bourne

1834–1912 · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

A bank clerk who quit his job, sailed to India, and hauled cameras up 18,600-foot Himalayan passes to capture 2,200 images.

Read Bourne’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Bourne

1 / 2
Agra. The Gateway of the Gardens Surrounding the Taj Agra. The Gateway of the Gardens Surrounding the Taj 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art Agra. View of the Taj from a Corner in the Quadrangle Agra. View of the Taj from a Corner in the Quadrangle 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art Agra. View of the Taj from the Garden Agra. View of the Taj from the Garden 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art Agra. View of the Taj in Front of Nootkan (The Light of the World), Wife of the Emperor Akbar, View from the River Agra. View of the Taj in Front of Nootkan (The Light of the World), Wife of the Emperor Akbar, View from the River 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art A Village Scene, Near Calcutta A Village Scene, Near Calcutta 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art Delhi. Gateway of Allahood Deen's Palace, Old Delhi Delhi. Gateway of Allahood Deen's Palace, Old Delhi 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art Delhi. Tomb of the Emperor Shums ooo deen Allomsh, Builder of the Kootub Minar in the Ruins of Old Delhi Delhi. Tomb of the Emperor Shums ooo deen Allomsh, Builder of the Kootub Minar in the Ruins of Old Delhi 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art Delhi. View of North Side of the Jamma Musjid in Principal Mabonedau Place of Worship Delhi. View of North Side of the Jamma Musjid in Principal Mabonedau Place of Worship 1863 · Cleveland Museum of Art
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Bourne: works from the same years.

The Backgammon Players Same era · 1840s–1870s The Backgammon Players Philip Webb · 1861 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Two Boats in a Storm Same era · 1840s–1870s Two Boats in a Storm Léon-Victor Dupré · 1870 · Art Institute of Chicago Paris Street; Rainy Day Same era · 1840s–1870s Paris Street; Rainy Day Kawabata Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago Alfred Sisley Same era · 1840s–1870s Alfred Sisley Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1864 · Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection A Sketch Same era · 1840s–1870s A Sketch Mariano Fortuny Marsal · 1862 · Hispanic Society of America Fish (Still Life) Same era · 1840s–1870s Fish (Still Life) Édouard Manet · 1864 · Art Institute of Chicago Mount Madison from the Androscoggin River Same era · 1840s–1870s Mount Madison from the Androscoggin River William Hart · 1862 Peasants Bringing Home a Calf Born in the Fields Same era · 1840s–1870s Peasants Bringing Home a Calf Born in the Fields Jean-François Millet · 1864 · Art Institute of Chicago
Hear Agra. The Taj, the Central of Pri…’s storyFree in the Art Whisper app Open