Artist and Background

Edwin Lord Weeks was an American artist, painter, illustrator, photographer, writer, explorer, and collector. He was trained in Paris under notable artists such as Jean-Léon Gérôme and Léon Bonnat, which influenced his style and subject matter, particularly in his depiction of oriental scenes.

The Artwork

"The Hour of Prayer at the Pearl Mosque, Agra" was created during Weeks's second trip to India. The painting captures a moment of prayer at the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), a 17th-century congregational mosque within the Agra Fort, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

Recognition and Exhibitions

This painting was awarded a Gold Medal at the 1889 Paris Salon, where Weeks's works garnered significant public attention. The painting is housed in its original frame, designed by Lockwood de Forest, an American painter and designer who was also an admirer and promoter of South Asian art and craft.

Provenance and Exhibitions

The painting has been part of several exhibitions, including "Romance of the Taj Mahal," which traveled to various museums such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Toledo Museum of Art, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Asia Society between 1989 and 1991.

Style and Influence

Weeks's work during this period, such as "The Hour of Prayer at the Pearl Mosque, Agra," reflects a detailed realism, possibly influenced by his experiments in photography. His style was shaped by his training in French academic painting and his travels to exotic locations.