Caparisoned viceroyal elephants, Varanasi (Benares), Uttar Pradesh, India 1865 - 1866

This photograph of caparisoned elephants was taken in Varanasi, India by Samuel Bourne, a British photographer active in the mid to late 1800s. The image is a silver print, a process that involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver compounds, then exposing it to light through a negative. What's striking here is the contrast between the slow, laborious process of photography, and the opulence on display. Look at the elaborate textiles draped over the elephants, each thread meticulously woven, likely incorporating precious metals and intricate designs. The howdahs, or seats, on their backs are further adorned, suggesting both wealth and power. Consider the labor involved in creating this scene, from raising and training the elephants, to producing the textiles and other adornments. Bourne's photograph, in its own way, captures a society deeply stratified by class, where immense effort is expended to create displays of wealth and status. By understanding both the photographic process and the social context, we can better appreciate the full meaning of this captivating image.