The City of Benares, on the Ganges, View of the Great Mosque of A (?) and Adjoining Landing Places

Samuel Bourne, a British photographer renowned for his extensive work in India, captured the majestic "The City of Benares, on the Ganges, View of the Great Mosque of A (?) and Adjoining Landing Places" in 1863. This albumen print is a testament to his dedication to documenting the landscapes and architecture of the subcontinent, a mission he embarked upon after leaving his banking career in England. Bourne arrived in Calcutta in early 1863 and quickly established himself, eventually co-founding the premier photographic studio in India, Bourne & Shepherd. This particular image, created during his prolific seven years in India, showcases his exceptional eye for composition and technical expertise, even while working with challenging wet plate collodion processes and large format cameras in remote locations. It reflects his broader body of work, which includes numerous landscapes and architectural studies from his extensive travels, particularly his ambitious Himalayan expeditions. Bourne's photographs, including this one, were widely retailed and helped shape the Western perception of India's grandeur.