Porch of the Shiva temple at Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh, India 1863 - 1870

Curator: The weight of time—that's my first impression. Just look at the worn stones of this temple porch. Editor: Exactly. This evocative photograph by Samuel Bourne captures the Porch of the Shiva Temple at Baijnath in Himachal Pradesh, India. The image dates to sometime between 1863 and 1870. Curator: The way the light etches the sculptures. They remind me of old myths and forgotten tales whispered on the wind. Look how they’ve endured! Editor: Bourne was a master of using light. His photos were a visual record but also a carefully constructed colonial narrative. These images were made to show India’s rich past while quietly justifying British rule, subtly casting it as necessary custodianship. Curator: Hmm, that might be so, but I'm also fascinated by the continuity in these kinds of depictions. Even through a colonial lens, this composition clearly reveals the enduring strength and resilience encoded in Hindu iconography. Shiva, in particular, as the destroyer and re-creator... Editor: I think the politics surrounding images like these also shaped public perceptions of South Asia at the time, cementing some very specific cultural narratives. They become documents, shaping historical narratives but they were always made by people, for people. Curator: Indeed. Look closely and notice that a figure sits within the temple. This adds human presence and scale, hinting at both reverence and everyday life against this backdrop of powerful architectural form. Editor: This intersection interests me greatly—it complicates my colonial reading. I want to suggest also considering this figure as the possibility of another point of view... I do still believe in art historical contextualisation. Curator: These historical cross currents create a resonant experience even for us today viewing from such a great temporal distance, don’t they? I have new insights into these iconic visual stories because of your focus. Editor: And your insights remind us that images always echo more than their creators intend!