Photographer's Note
Following the conception and design in 1901, construction of the substructure began in 1904. The visiting Prince of Wales laid a foundation stone in 1906, but it was a further four years before work on the superstructure got under way. On January 4, 1912, the Prince - now King George V - returned to inspect progress. In the preceding month in Delhi the royal visitor had been crowned Emperor, and in his speech on that occasion, he had announced the transfer of the capital to Delhi. Curzon had not foreseen this move and he much lamented it; it left his sanctum of the Empire high and dry in a provincial city even before it was completed. The work continued, but it was not until December 28, 1921 that another Prince of Wales came formally to open it. On the same tour, the Prince visited Hyderabad, where he saw Esch's buildings all but finished; and he inspected progress on the buildings in New Delhi, which already promised to surpass the Memorial in grandeur. Curzon's project had been overtaken by events. If the Memorial's impact was diminished by delay, it was still a splendid gesture. Emerson's design was much enhanced by the sympathetic ornaments added by others. Vincent Esch's major contribution was the redesign of the foundations on innovative principles for which he was renowned, but he also supervised the production of the allegorical sculpture groups over the entrances and designed the elegant bridge on the north side, and the gates to the gardens. The gardens themselves were laid out by Lord Redesdale and Sir David Prain; their spaciousness and restraint emphasize the building's majesty. In the central hall, scenes from the life of the Queen were painted by Frank Salisbury, and the marble statue of the young Queen is by Sir Thomas Brock. A more elderly Queen in bronze by Sir George Frampton, sits enthroned on Esch's bridge, between narrative panels by Sir Goscombe Jhon. In the paved quadrangles and elsewhere around the building, other statues were added to commemorate Hastings, Cornwallis, Clive, Wellesley, and Dalhousie.
I have put on Workshop an old photograph of the construction of the Victoria Memorial on 19th Nov'1920.
I also appreciate the comments of a few of my favorite photographers and hope that this one has less grains and is not over sharpened. This one doesn't show a full photograph of the beautiful building, but is visibly a better photograph.
Critiques | Translate
SnapRJW
(31631) 2013-11-24 7:56
Yes Arunava - This is a much more sensitively post processed shot than your previous. I like the symmetrical composition and the architectural details are finely displayed. Attractive soft light and good sky all work well together. Nicely done! Warm regards Rosemary
No_One
(4) 2013-11-24 8:35
Hi Arunava,
A new view of this place to mne, and a great one too. This gives a much more intimate view to this monumental place, and gives a better idea how vast it is. It does look very much like a religious building, but I guess that's me making the connection because of the dome. Lovely light on this, and I really like the symmetrical composition.
Thanks again, have a great week ahead.
Cheers
Noel
abmdsudi
(95869) 2013-11-24 9:43
Namaste Arunava
Thanks to your informative description as it gives an insight into the shot helping to appreciate the photo even better. One of the most beautiful buildings from British Raj era, classic and there she sits in all her regal glory. Good symmetry of an extensively detailed of such magnitude supported by beautiful razor sharp and unique architectural style merging both world in its traditional colours. The brilliant blue sky is just lovely creating a striking contrast enhancing the overall impact of the stupendous dimension. Thumb up! you have done a fine work here creating such a Quality shot, your pp is spot on and pleasure to view, keep it up!
My congrats.
Best regards
aleXundar
(1256) 2013-11-24 10:07
Hello Arunava,
Ah, the less photographed side of the Memorial.
I have always felt that from this angle, the building looks somewhat like a large ship.
You have nicely captured details of the white marble.
Beautiful shot of the beautiful building.
Regards,
Alekhya
papagolf21
(152607) 2013-11-24 11:26
Bonsoir, cher Arunava,
Un grand merci pour la photo présentée en atelier. Ainsi, nous pouvons comparer la somme de travail qui a été entrepris pour édifier ce majestueux édifice.
L'architecture est de toute beauté, et correspond bien au style de l'époque.
Très belle réalisation.
Amitiés.
Philippe
holmertz
(103564) 2013-11-24 12:18
Hello Arunava,
This is a nicely symmetrical composition and a well processed photo with good colours and light. Having never lived in the British Empire I find it a bit strange to see buidings like this is India, although I realize that this is also an important part of your country's cultural heritage, and even more so a part of the history of Calcutta. I have only been inside here once, and I found it a rather strange experience.
Kind regards,
Gert
Subhogen
(4067) 2013-11-24 17:10
Hello Arunava,
Great shot of this historic building in Kolkata. I like the natural colors, balanced framing and sharpness. Good informative note to go with it. Well taken!!
Regards,
Subho
adidas5nb
(5743) 2013-11-24 17:35
nice one.you have presented victoria memorial very nicely here.like the light and the pov.the symmetry is managed nicely.
regards
dwaipayan
emka
(158710) 2013-11-24 23:56
hello Arunava,
Woow, splendid presentation of this impressive building. I like the symmetrical composition here and excellent rendering of all the details. very good sharpness and colours.
Warm regrads Malgo
Fis2
(171849) 2013-11-26 5:13
Witaj Arunava!
Beautiful fragment of wonderful architecture.
Good sharpness and colors.
Excellent work.
TFS.
Have a nice evening
Krzysztof
Silvio1953
(222811) 2013-11-26 11:39
Ciao Arunava, great view of fantastic building, fine details, excellent clarity, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
ikeharel
(114499) 2013-12-03 4:23
Exquisite sharp details of the archs facade of the monument in Kolkata, Arunava.
An impressive structure, colonial grandeur and you managed a fine photo from the chosen front POV.
Impressive architecture.
Good evening,
Ike
macjake
(98544) 2015-08-07 12:24
Hi Arunava
recently we spent a full month in India, but there's only so much time we can spend in each city....we never made it to Kolkata...perhaps next time.
great WS photo too, thats fun to look at.
this is a place i'd like to see in person.
quite the majestic and elegant building.
lots of details to enjoy. sharp and clear aswell.
cheers
craig
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Arunava Ghose (Highmountains)
(2674)
- Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2012-12-19
- Camera: Olympus E-500
- Exposure: f/8, 1/200 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
- Date Submitted: 2013-11-24 7:49
Discussions
- To macjake: Most Welcome (1)
by Highmountains, last updated 2015-08-07 01:10