The Bishop's Palace, Calcutta 1850s

This photograph of The Bishop's Palace in Calcutta was captured by Captain R. B. Hill. The sepia tones imbue the scene with a sense of historical distance and perhaps a touch of melancholy. The composition is dominated by the imposing structure of the palace, a neoclassical building with a symmetrical facade. The rows of columns create a rhythm of vertical lines, balanced by the horizontal lines of the building's entablature and base. This emphasis on geometric forms and architectural precision serves to represent power and order. The photograph invites us to consider how architectural forms can convey ideas about cultural values and power dynamics, reflecting the structures of colonial influence through a seemingly objective lens. This visual vocabulary invites contemplation on how colonial power represents itself through the visual signs of monumental architecture.