Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v1.c4.2

v1.c4.2

But, though I urged all the reasons that a natural diffidence prompted, Mr. Yazdani persisted in his request. The invitation was expressed in such gracious terms that refusal became impossible. It was true that I had never seen the originals of the paintings here reproduced for the first time in colours by photography: but it was also true that I had given many years of study to Asiatic painting in general; and as these frescoes are not only of supreme interest in themselves, but are of capital importance in their relation to the whole body of Buddhist painting in all the countries of Asia, I have tried on this account to justify my acceptance of the task.