The Ajanta Caves collection is composed of approximately 2,500 black-and-white photographs of the Ajanta caves. The photographs depict 29 of the 31 rock-cut caves within the Ajanta complex and were taken by Dr. Walter Spink during the course of his research in the latter half of the 20th century. The prints depict panoramic views of the complex, as well as detailed photographs of the façade, porch, court, and interiors of each cave. The prints of the interiors capture plasters, shrines, and detailed carvings within the caves.
The Ajanta caves are a complex of 31 rock-cut Buddhist monuments, or man-made caves, located in the Shyadri Hills, north of the Aurangabad District, Maharashtra, India. The Ajanta caves are cut into the steep horseshoe-shaped cliff that runs along the Wagora River. Excavated between the 2nd century B.C.E. and the 5th century C.E., the site contains five sanctuaries, called Chaityagrihas, and 24 monasteries, or viharas. Approximately 200 monks and artisans were believed to have lived within the complex of monuments. The caves are connected and made accessible by a set of stairs down to the Waghora River, but unfortunately most of these staircases no longer exist. The complex houses Buddhist sculptures and paintings and is famous for the murals. The renowned murals tell the Jataka stories, depicting the lives of the Buddha. The Ajanta caves were constructed in two distinct periods and reflect different styles. The first set of five caves was created in the 2nd century B.C.E. during the Hinayana phase of Buddhism and the center of worship is a stupa. The second set of 26 caves date from the Vakatakas period and were likely constructed between circa 462 and circa 480 C.E. under the patronage of the Vakataka king Harisena (C.E. 475-500). According to Ajanta expert, Walter Spink, the caves were excavated simultaneously by a group of artisans, which would account for the variety of styles, as well as the reason that some of the caves are unfinished, most likely due to political turmoil. It is believed that each cave had a single rich patron. Unfortunately, the caves were later abandoned in about 650 C.E. in favor of Ellora. Ajanta was later rediscovered in 1819 by a British hunting-party and excavation began in 1844. The Ajanta caves were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Dr. Walter Spink was born on February 16, 1928 in Massachusetts. He graduated summa cum laude from Amherst College in 1949 and he later earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University in art history and Indian art in 1950 and 1954, respectively. Dr. Spink began to study Ajanta and other Indian caves in 1952. He became a professor of the history of art at the University of Michigan in 1970 and stayed until his retirement in 2000. Spink also served as the Director of the Asian Art Archives at Michigan between 1962 and 1996. He became Professor Emeritus in 2000. Considered the world's authority on Buddhist rock-cut cave monasteries, Spink has published many books on Ajanta and other rock-cut caves, as well as Indian painting.
