Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1976.7.74
Gallery Label:
The Kila Kona Masjid, or mosque, is located within the walls of the "'old fort"' [Purana Qila] in Delhi. The artist of this view, Robert Smith, was charged with the preservation of this and other historic structures during the 1820s. In keeping with his archaeological interests, Smith presents the mosque as the top layer of a composition that exposes the crumbling caves beneath the structure. Smith likewise depicts various strata of Indian society, including worshipers entering the mosque, and others preparing for a journey by elephant. Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2005