Agra, the Taj from Corner of Quadrangle 1863 - 1866

Curator: Samuel Bourne's photograph, "Agra, the Taj from Corner of Quadrangle," presents the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Editor: It feels dreamlike, almost like a mirage. The sepia tones give it this hazy, romantic quality, even though it's a pretty straightforward architectural shot. Curator: Bourne's work often intersects with debates around colonialism and the representation of India by Western photographers. His images were crucial in shaping perceptions of the subcontinent. Editor: Knowing that colonial context adds another layer. I start thinking about whose gaze is centered here. Is it reverence or something else? Curator: Exactly. Consider the power dynamics inherent in who gets to document and circulate these images, and how that impacts our understanding even now. Editor: Yeah, suddenly it feels less dreamy and more complicated. Still beautiful, but with a shadow. Curator: Precisely, seeing both the artistry and the history allows us a much richer interpretation. Editor: It's like, you can't just look; you've got to *see*.