Pietra dura ... by KarmaSong
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Description
This is a tiny fragment of the impressive and superb mausoleum of I'timad-ud-Daulah, built in Agra, India. Often described as a "jewel box", sometimes called the "Baby Taj", the mausoleum is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. It was made in the memory of Mirza Ghias Beg during 1622-1628 A.D. Mirza Ghiyas Beg was the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the emperor Shah Jahan, responsible for the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Built entirely in white marble and inlaid with semi-precious stones, ( a technique called 'pietra dura' imported back then from Italian marble workers), it even surpasses , in my opinion, the beauty of the decoration and technique that was seen a couple of decades afterwards, used for the T�j Mahal.
... Thank you very much for your comments on my last photoshopped capture. Please zoom in on this one and have a very sunny and/or artistic week-end .
Comments (30)
Interesting information and certainly an impressive piece of inlay work. It seems to me to represent balance in the Universe.
Beautiful fragment of Marble! I am curious to know which kind of semiprecious stones are there... thank you Jean Luc for the information Jewel Box. When Photos and History come together!!! ^_^
Un fragment qui montre la magnificence des oeuvres exécutées à cette époque! Superbe phot et merci pour les infos, Jean-Luc!
Mon Dieu, que c'est beau ! On dirait un travail de marqueterie fait avec de la pierre ! Un grand travail de précision qui force l'admiration ! Ta capture est excellente et j'aime le motif que tu as photographié. Je vois que l'Inde te fascine toujours autant et je comprends ta passion pour ce pays à travers les photos superbes que tu partages avec nous ! Merci d'échanger ces précieux souvenirs avec nous !
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
Quand je pense qu'il y a des crétins (et même pire !) qui regardent ces gens là de haut !!! Quand on voit les merveilles dont ils ont été ou sont capables, à l'image de celle-ci, on se dit qu'ils n'ont rien à nous envier, en termes de raffinement (non !!! Juré ! je ne pense même pas au Kâmasûtra !!!), de classe, de dignité...une belle leçon.
Penss po au kama soustrait qu'il dit... Mais fo po le croire !!! Bref.. c'est vrai que c'est assez époustouflant et la prise de vue met bien en valeur le travail de l'artisan !!!
Amazing capture, very Interesting information!!
Ce marbre incrusté de pierres semi-précieuses est remarquable, merci de nous le montrer avec cette belle photo, et merci pour les infos, Jean-Luc !
This looks very beautiful. Excellent shot, fantastic details.
Jean-Luc, this is a truly marvelous presentation that really brightened up my day. I can't help but stare at those beautiful inlaid stones and the fine detail work. Thank you also for providing all of the background information that helped to bring this one to life.
The details are amazing here my friend!
fantastic work
Unique cette merveille :)
Incredible piece of history, my Friend. You always have the most inspirational artpieces to show as a true inspiration. To think that something like this still exists somewhere in the world, is truly mystifying and sacred. How precious this is. It must have been such a fascinating reign. Makes me crave more information. As I look carefully in full zoom, I can really see just how "old" this is, but also notice the "scale" and how perfectly balanced this is. Thank you so much for sharing!
wow it looks super. who ever did this had skill for sure
great photo, wonderful work
aboslute elegance and beauty, dear Jean Luc. Thank you for the write up too. Bisous glaore. DiDi. xx
So Beautiful
Fantastic image and interesting info! Thanks for sharing! :)
it is beautiful and a great capture
Looks great.
Looks cool! Great idea!
What a fine and beautifully detailed work and capture of it,thank you for the Interesting Info*********
Beautiful photo and marvelous history! Bravo! Most excellent presentation!
wonderful find of this indian impression! interesting to read the infos about it! ;o)
Excellent informations!!!Amazing capture!!!!!!!
Beautifully captured Jean-Luc and visiting this place on my list to seet. I have always been fascinated with India and its culture!
Une belle pièce d'art!!! Merci pour le partage. Félicitations .... câlins ...
You've got to give the Indians credit for producing such fine and elegant mosaics. :)