Ellora, The Mosque of Aurungzebe at Rosa c. 1869

Curator: Colin Murray’s photographic print, "Ellora, The Mosque of Aurungzebe at Rosa," presents a stark scene. The way the light falls creates such sharp contrasts. Editor: It speaks to the socio-political dynamics of the British presence in India, doesn't it? Consider the institutional role of photography in documenting and, arguably, shaping colonial perceptions. Curator: Precisely. And look at the materiality—the photographic process itself. The albumen print, the labor involved in its creation, all contribute to its meaning. Editor: Indeed, the choice of subject, a mosque built by a controversial Mughal emperor, also invites reflection on religious and imperial power structures. It prompts questions about the public role of art. Curator: Seeing how light and shadow interact upon those surfaces really makes you reflect on building materials. Editor: I see how this artwork highlights the complex relationships between art, power, and the consumption of images in a colonial context. Curator: I see it as a remarkable capture that makes one reflect on the labor involved. Editor: A great way to view these fascinating historical dynamics.