The Boodhist Tower of Sarnath, Bénarès

Concerned that his drawings did not do justice to the splendor of India’s monuments, Rousselet learned photography in India that year, a remarkable accomplishment. He proved to be a talented photographer with a sophisticated sense of composition. The scenes in this volume sweep across sites of Sultanate, Rajput, and Mughal power in northern India, from the sacred Hindu city of Varanasi on the Ganges River to Alwar in Rajasthan. Also included are several scenes of industry and portraits of Indian rulers.

An albumen print depicts a massive, weathered stone tower rising from a pale, dusty plain. Its flared base is punctuated by arched niches, supporting a textured cylindrical body topped with wild grasses and a lone, spindly tree. Below the image, elegant serif typography identifies the scene as "THE BOODHIST TOWER OF SARNATH" and "BÃ©narÃ¨s," all framed within a wide, cream-colored border marked by subtle age spots.

The Boodhist Tower of Sarnath, Bénarès

1865–68, published 1869–70

Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet

(French, 1845–1929)

France, 19th century

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork

Artwork Page for The Boodhist Tower of Sarnath, Bénarès

Details / Information for The Boodhist Tower of Sarnath, Bénarès