Anon. Moti Masjid Pearl Mosque, Agra Fort
An original early 19th-century watercolour painting Moti Masjid Pearl Mosque, Agra Fort.
A beautifully intricate and intensely coloured Indian Company school miniature in ink and watercolour. This painting shows the courtyard of the elegant Moti Masjid, the main mosque within the Agra Fort complex. Known as the ‘Pearl Mosque’ due to its extensive use of white marble facing, it is celebrated for its tranquility and perfect proportions, and is deemed one of the best and most refined buildings of Shah Jahan architecture.
The mosque was built inside the Agra fort in 1654 during the reign of Shah Jahan (r.1627–1558). Originally built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone fort at Agra was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time.
The paper is backed by a pink album page (not visible as cut to the same size) then has been laid down on a further album page backing.
Dimensions: Height: 9.3cm (3.66") Width: 13.6cm (5.35")
Presented: Unframed.
Medium: Watercolour
Age: Early 19th-century
Signed: No.
Inscribed: Inscribed below in Persian characters.
Dated: --
Condition: There are some marks and age toning to the paper, mainly to the margins outside of the image. Some smudging to the ink border at the right, as created. Slight wrinkling to the paper where it is glued to the backing paper. Please see photos for detail.
Stock number: JM-752
