[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908) › c7.26 # Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.26 Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.26 - **Language:** English ### [c7.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.26) It is a well-established tradition among Anglo-Indians to take for granted that there has always been a peculiar intellectual hiatus in the Indian mind, which has at all times prevented any great development of the fine arts. And whenever any striking example, appealing to popular European sentiment, seems to prove the contrary, the suggestion that it is due to Western influence is sure to be accepted as sufficient and wholly satisfactory. A familiar instance of this is the attribution of the Mogul masterpiece, the Taj at Agra, to an Italian adventurer at the court of Shah Jahan. The evidence on which this story is based is, as I have endeavoured to show,¹ absurdly unsubstantial, and utterly unworthy of credence. - [Previous: c7.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.25) - [Next: c7.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.27) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7) ## Linked texts (1) - [Taj Mahal](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.monument.taj-mahal) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.havell-1908.c7.26) · Pramāṇa