The Ajanta Caves: Ancient Buddhist Paintings of India

The Ajanta Caves are a collection of ancient Buddhist paintings and sculptures that date back to the second century BCE to the sixth century CE. They are considered one of the world's most important cultural treasures and have been digitally restored by Benoy K. Behl to show their original glory. The murals depict the tales of previous incarnations of Buddha, scenes of princely processions, and fantastical birds and beasts. This new edition provides a view of some of the masterpieces digitally restored by Behl, accompanied by expert commentaries to preserve the legacy of the glorious art of Ajanta for years to come.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Over thirty years of arduous labor, Benoy K. Behls remarkable photographs have painstakingly been gathered and digitally restored to create what is undoubtedly the finest and most accurate record of these magnificent treasures that will ever be produced.

William Dalrymple's revised edition of a classic title now features digitally restored photographs, showcasing the finest surviving examples of ancient Buddhist art.

Since their accidental re-discovery in 1819, the breathtaking paintings and sculptures of the Ajanta caves have inspired and delighted experts and amateurs alike. Ranging in date from the second century BCE to the sixth century CE, these ancient Buddhist artworks rank among the world's most important cultural treasures.

Benoy K. Behl captured the beauty and luminosity of these works using long exposures and only natural light, and now presents them here digitally restored to show the paintings closer to their original glory than ever before.

The exquisite murals, depicting the tales of previous incarnations of Buddha, scenes of princely processions, and fantastical birds and beasts, provide virtually the only evidence of painting styles that first developed in India and remain crucially important to the understanding of Buddhist art throughout Asia. On UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, the Ajanta caves survive as a potent symbol of India's rich artistic past.

This new edition provides for the first time a view of some of the masterpieces of Ajanta painstakingly digitally restored by Behl. Sensitively carried out, the restoration makes the paintings clearer without interfering with their original grace and nuance, leading to a deeper appreciation of their artistry. Accompanied by expert commentaries to fully immerse the reader in the cultural context of the murals, this revised edition is a must-have for anyone interested in the art and culture of ancient India.

Weight: 1070g
Dimension: 195 x 250 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500296691
Edition number: Revised