Ornamental colonnade at the base of the Qutb Minar in Delhi, India 1863 - 1865

Samuel Bourne captured this view of the ornamental colonnade at the base of the Qutb Minar in Delhi using a photographic process. The composition leads your eye along a rhythmic sequence of pillars. Note how each pillar is divided into distinct sections by horizontal bands of carved designs. This division creates a modular structure, emphasizing both the individual components and the unified whole of the colonnade. The use of light and shadow further articulates the texture and depth of the stone carvings, offering a sensory experience of the architectural space. Bourne’s choice to frame the colonnade with natural elements introduces a dialogue between organic and constructed forms, questioning our understanding of permanence and change. This photograph invites reflection on how we perceive historical sites—not just as static monuments, but as dynamic spaces shaped by time and human interaction.