Add Or 1962

Mausoleum of Akbar, Sikandra.

By a Delhi or Agra artist, c.1810.

Inscribed on front: ‘Akbar’s tomb at Secundra near Agra drawn by Thomas Longcroft.’

Water-colour; 13.75 by 19.5 ins. Narrow Indian ink border.

Presented by Simon Digby, 4 May 1962.

Note: This drawing is clearly by an Indian artist and not by Thomas Longcroft, although it may possibly be from his collection. Longcroft was in India from 1793 until his death in 1811. He was himself an amateur artist but also possessed a collection of drawings by Indian artists. The whole collection passed to his relative Thomas Twining and the Library possesses seven pictures from it, donated by a descendant, Louisa Twining. These bear inscriptions in handwriting similar to that on the present picture. When making her gift, Miss Twining indiscriminately attributed all pictures in the collection to Longcroft himself (see entries for western drawings under Thomas Longcroft). Although this drawing was acquired by the Library from another source it almost certainly came from the Twining family and the inscription is probably yet another example of Miss Twining’s mistaken attributions. If Longcroft collected the drawing it must date from c.1810.