Who painted Benares, 1913?

Benares, 1913 was painted by Marius Bauer in 1913.

Where can I see Benares, 1913?

Benares, 1913 is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Benares, 1913?

Benares, 1913 is associated with Orientalism.

Can I buy a print of Benares, 1913?

Museum-quality prints of Benares, 1913 are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Benares, 1913

Marius Bauer , 1913

Benares, 1913 is an oil painting by the Orientalist artist Marius Bauer. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Marius Bauer’s 1913 oil painting titled Benares captures a sun‑lit stone staircase that ascends toward a deteriorating temple in the Indian city of Varanasi.

Marius Bauer’s 1913 oil painting titled Benares captures a sun‑lit stone staircase that ascends toward a deteriorating temple in the Indian city of Varanasi. Figures in white garments occupy the steps and shade, while scattered umbrellas provide intermittent shelter. The composition is dominated by warm, rough stone surfaces rendered in deep shadow and bright light, conveying a moment of everyday activity within an historic setting.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents a quotidian scene of local residents and travelers navigating the temple approach, emphasizing the interplay of light, shade, and communal space. The white clothing of the figures contrasts with the earthy tones of the architecture, suggesting a cultural encounter between Western visitors and the Indian environment, a common theme in Orientalist visual narratives of the early twentieth century.

Technique & Style

Executed in a thick impasto application, Bauer’s brushwork gives the stone a tactile, almost three‑dimensional quality. The handling of paint reflects an Impressionistic approach, with loose strokes and a focus on the effects of sunlight on surface texture. Influences from the Hague School are evident in the subdued palette and atmospheric treatment of light and shadow.

History & Provenance

Created during Bauer’s travels in India, the painting was likely based on photographs he took on site, a practice he frequently employed to inform his studio work. Benares, 1913 entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of Dutch Orientalist art.