Artwork
The Upper Himmalayahs. View in the Manga Valley

The Upper Himmalayahs. View in the Manga Valley is a photography by the Impressionist artist Samuel Bourne. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This photograph, 'The Upper Himmalayahs.
About this work
You see sharp peaks, a winding river, and tiny tents in a high mountain valley.
Bourne lugged his heavy camera up these trails in the 1860s. The photo-like detail wasn’t painted—it’s an early photograph, one of the first to show the Himalayas this clearly.
For more quiet records of faraway places, look at the work of Samuel Bourne (British, 1834–1912).
Overview
This photograph, 'The Upper Himmalayahs. View in the Manga Valley', is one of 50 images taken by Samuel Bourne in the 1860s. It captures a Himalayan valley with notable detail.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a mountainous landscape with sharp peaks, a winding river, and small tents, offering a glimpse into a remote region during the 19th century.
Technique & Style
The photograph showcases Bourne's technical skill, conveying a high level of detail characteristic of early photographic processes, which required transporting cumbersome equipment to remote locations.
History & Provenance
Taken in the 1860s, this photograph is part of a larger album that documents Bourne's travels through the Himalayas and various Indian cities, providing historical records of monuments and landscapes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel Bourne was a British photographer known for his prolific seven years' work in India, from 1863 to 1870.
















