Page from a Polier album

The magnificent albums (muraqqa') commissioned and illustrated at the initiative of Antoine-Louis Polier at the Nawab court of Lucknow in Northern India are easily recognisable. They are known for their margins which are lavishly adorned with foliage and luxurious floral scrolls. Spectacular paintings with brilliant and subtle illusionist perspectives often dominate these albums.

Lucknow's painters had a strong fascination with large panoramic compositions with skilful perspective, which may have been influenced by European paintings and engravings that were widely available at the Lucknow court. Several Europeans who were ambitious collectors of ancient manuscripts and miniature albums, such as Antoine-Louis Polier, Jean-Baptiste Gentil, Claude Martin, and Richard Johnson, had settled in Lucknow with hopes of achieving successful careers and making quick fortunes.