Views of the Ghats at Benares

Benares (now known as Varanasi) is one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world and generally considered the religious capital of India. It stands on the crescent-shaped left bank of the Ganges with access to the water obtained by long flights of broad stairs known as ghats. The city has long been recognised as one of the most important places of pilgrimage and of ritual bathing in India. Through the ages, a large number of foreign artists have been drawn to the city and inspired to make sketches of its ghats and temples. The British artist, Edward Lear was enthralled by Benares. In his journal dated 13 December 1873, he recorded 'Nothing short of a moving opera scene, can give any idea of the intense and wonderful colour and detail of these Benares banks'.
To be included in the forthcoming Weeks catalogue raisonneé currently being prepared by Dr Ellen K Morris.