Indian Treasures is an exhibition marking the seventeenth anniversary of India’s independence from Britain. Drawn from the Getty Images Hulton Archive, one of the largest and most comprehensive photographic archive in private hands, the exhibition reveals some of the earliest views of India and its people recorded using photography.
The images have been sourced from various scrapbooks, albums, glass plate negatives and vintage prints held in the Archive – many of which have gone unseen for decades – and include a diverse range of subjects, from one of the earliest photographic views of the Taj Mahal to portraits of Maharajas, musicians and snake charmers.
The exhibition includes a group of 19th and early 20th century prints on temporary loan from the Archive, as well as museum-quality prints made using the latest dark room techniques which are available for purchase in limited editions and in a range of sizes; these images have been subject to eight months of digital restoration to ensure their historical integrity.
“A complex landscape and medley of influences, India has long been a springboard for the imagination, not least for some of photography’s pioneers,” said Matthew Butson, Vice President of Getty Images Archive. “After what has felt like a thrilling archaeological dig, we could not be more excited to share these incredible images and stories with gallery visitors.”
A leading highlight is a group of remarkable portraits from a four-volume album of photographs which show the princes and rulers of India, bedecked in pearls and precious stones. The album was found to contain a hand-written note revealing that the set has only one other copy which was presented to Queen Victoria, probably for her Diamond Jubilee.
Elsewhere a set of studio portraits of a visiting troupe of performers includes images of a conjurer, a dervish and a juggler. The exhibition includes a diverse and fascinating selection of landscapes and portraits, including views of notable landmarks from the Taj Mahal to the Himalayas, and including images captured by renowned photographers including Samuel Bourne, John Edward Saché and Felice Beato. Also on view is a series of striking color prints made using the rarely-seen photocrom process.
Indian Treasures
2 August to 7 October, 2017
Getty Images Gallery
6 Eastcastle St, Fitzrovia
London W1W 8DX
United Kingdom
