File RAS GOV7/17 - Extract of a letter from Captain R. Gill

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 RAS GOV7-RAS GOV7/17

Title

Extract of a letter from Captain R. Gill

Date(s)

  • 2nd Mar 1848 (Creation)

Level of description

File

Extent and medium

3 pages handwritten

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Major Robert Gill was an army officer, antiquarian, painter and photographer in British India. He is best known for his paintings, copying the frescoes of the Ajanta Caves. Gill was the first painter – after their rediscovery in 1819 – to make extensive copies of the Buddhist cave paintings, which mostly date to the 5th century CE. His surviving copies and drawings remain significant in Ajanta studies as the originals have significantly deteriorated since his time.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

'Extract of a letter from Captain R. Gill, addressed to Colonel Sykes, dated, Adjuntah (Ajanta), 2 March 1848' in which he writes of his season's work copying over 200 square feet of cave paintings which he has forwarded to the Government. He describes the paintings, their composition, condition and colouring. He also writes of his work in measurement and recording details.

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Language of material

  • English

Script of material

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    Dates of creation revision deletion

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        Accession area