View of the Sacred Tank in the Great Pagoda 1858

Linnaeus Tripe made this photograph, 'View of the Sacred Tank in the Great Pagoda', using the waxed paper negative process. As a Captain in the British East India Company, Tripe was commissioned to document the region's architecture and landscapes. This image, while seemingly a neutral depiction of the temple, is deeply intertwined with the history of British colonialism in India. Tripe’s photographs were produced within a colonial framework, where the act of documentation was also an act of claiming knowledge and control. The serene, almost picturesque quality of the photograph belies the underlying power dynamics at play. Consider how Tripe’s identity as a British officer shaped his perception and representation of this sacred space. The photograph invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between cultural preservation, colonial ambition, and the enduring impact of historical narratives. Notice how the still water creates an emotional and reflective atmosphere, asking us to consider our own position as viewers.