The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 16, 2024

Avenue of the Banian Trees, Seringham, India

Avenue of the Banian Trees, Seringham, India

1858
(British, 1822–1902)
England, 19th century
salted paper print, albumenized, from calotype negative
Image: 24.6 x 37 cm (9 11/16 x 14 9/16 in.); Matted: 50.8 x 61 cm (20 x 24 in.)
The Jane B. Tripp Charitable Lead Annuity Trust 1994.18
Location: not on view

Description

A rare, beautiful example of Linnaeus Tripe concentrating simply on the landscape, this carefully composed image depicts a picturesque avenue of banyan trees, dense with foliage. Nearly 1,000 miles of road in the Salem District of India were lined by these trees, providing travelers with shade and shelter from the country's intense climate. The inherent characteristics of Tripe's paper negative—with its broad effects of light and shade and lack of crisp details—magnifies the impressionistic appearance of a scene filled with filtered sunlight. The abstract patterns of light and shadow lead the viewer's eyes down the centrally positioned road and through the compelling composition.
  • (Harry Lunn, Ltd., New York, NY)
    May 24, 1994
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, Tom E Hinson. Catalogue of Photography. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1996. Reproduced: P. 359
  • Travel Photography: Early Images of India. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 2-July 17, 2002).
    CMA, March 2 - July 17, 2002,"Travel Photography: Images of India". No catalog.
    CMA, September 13 - November 27, 1994: "Recent Acquisitions: Prints, Drawings, Photographs," no exhibition catalogue.
  • {{cite web|title=Avenue of the Banian Trees, Seringham, India|url=false|author=Captain Linnaeus Tripe, Madras Presidency|year=1858|access-date=16 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

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https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1994.18