Human Generated Data

Title

Benares, the Burning Ghat

Date

1865-1866

People

Artist: Samuel Bourne, British 1834 - 1912

Classification

Photographs

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Mrs. R. Minturn Sedgwick in memory of R. Minturn Sedgwick, Class of 1921, P1981.100

Human Generated Data

Title

Benares, the Burning Ghat

People

Artist: Samuel Bourne, British 1834 - 1912

Date

1865-1866

Classification

Photographs

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Mrs. R. Minturn Sedgwick in memory of R. Minturn Sedgwick, Class of 1921, P1981.100

Machine Generated Data

Tags

Amazon
created on 2022-01-23

Architecture 99.2
Building 99.2
Temple 98.8
Spire 95
Steeple 95
Tower 95
Shrine 94.1
Worship 94.1
Monastery 86.6
Housing 86.6
Nature 86.1
Outdoors 72.6
Boat 71.1
Transportation 71.1
Vehicle 71.1
Castle 64.4
Scenery 60.7
Pagoda 59.8
Dome 59.2
Landscape 56

Clarifai
created on 2023-10-27

group 98.7
art 98.4
temple 98.4
building 97.9
architecture 97.1
town 97
people 96.2
city 96.2
religion 95.6
old 95.6
travel 95.4
tower 95.4
church 95.3
landscape 94.6
castle 93.9
no person 93.7
street 93.4
river 92.4
vintage 91.6
panorama 91.2

Imagga
created on 2022-01-23

palace 100
architecture 56
building 51.5
castle 48.3
tower 39.5
city 35
travel 31.8
fortification 31.6
history 30.5
landmark 29.9
tourism 29.8
church 29.7
old 28.6
structure 28.3
monastery 28
ancient 27.7
town 27
temple 26.5
house 26.3
famous 26.1
religion 25.2
residence 25
sky 24.3
cathedral 23.5
culture 22.3
defensive structure 20.9
river 19.6
historic 18.4
place 17.7
monument 16.9
dome 16.4
medieval 16.4
traditional 15.8
exterior 15.7
tourist 15.4
winter 14.5
water 14
religious residence 13.9
construction 13.7
landscape 13.4
buildings 13.3
cityscape 12.3
antique 11.4
brick 11.3
historical 11.3
snow 11.2
wall 11.1
day 11
dwelling 10.9
urban 10.5
capital 10.5
stone 10.1
fortress 10
museum 9.7
panorama 9.6
bridge 9.5
cross 9.4
vintage 9.1
national 9.1
square 9.1
parliament 8.9
destination 8.4
east 8.4
roof 8.3
gold 8.2
style 8.2
government 7.8
destinations 7.7
spirituality 7.7
retro 7.4
window 7.3
color 7.2
summer 7.1

Google
created on 2022-01-23

Microsoft
created on 2022-01-23

text 97.2
outdoor 96.4
old 86.8
white 83.6
sky 82.7
building 69.7
black and white 67.8
ship 65.6
vintage 26
several 11.6

Color Analysis

Feature analysis

Amazon

Boat
Boat 71.1%

Categories

Captions

Clarifai
created by general-english-image-caption-blip on 2025-05-15

a photograph of a black and white photo of a city with a river and a bridge -100%

OpenAI GPT

Created by gpt-4o-2024-11-20 on 2025-06-13

This is a historic photograph of the ghats along the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, India, captured by Samuel Bourne in 1869. The ghats feature a series of intricately designed temples, shrines, and pavilions with distinct domes and spires, showcasing traditional Indian architecture. These structures are densely packed and cascade down toward the river, creating an iconic riverside cityscape.

The riverbank is bustling with activity, as people are seen bathing, washing, or managing small boats. Along the steps leading down to the river, there are modest shelters, carts, and makeshift structures, indicating daily life and commerce. The serene river stretches out into the distance, with small boats visible. The image captures the timeless essence and spiritual significance of Varanasi, known as one of India's oldest and holiest cities.

Created by gpt-4o-2024-08-06 on 2025-06-13

The image depicts an old photograph of the ghats along the riverbank in Varanasi, India. It showcases a series of intricately designed Hindu temples with distinct spires and domes lining the edge of the river Ganges. The architecture is characterized by ornate carvings and classic designs typical of Indian religious structures. The ghats are lively, with people walking around the steps and performing various activities, possibly involving ritual bathing and prayer. Boats are seen moored along the bank, and there is a clear view of the expansive river, emphasizing the significance of the location as both a spiritual and cultural hub. The photograph captures the historical essence of Varanasi, illustrating the timeless beauty and vibrant activity of the area.

Meta Llama

Created by us.meta.llama3-2-11b-instruct-v1:0 on 2025-06-10

The image depicts a black-and-white photograph of a riverbank with numerous temples and boats. The riverbank is lined with several large, ornate temples, some of which appear to be under construction. The temples are constructed from stone and feature intricate carvings and domes. In front of the temples, there are several boats docked along the riverbank, and people are gathered on the shore, some of whom appear to be engaged in various activities such as fishing or repairing boats.

In the background, the sky is visible, and trees can be seen on the left side of the image. The overall atmosphere of the image suggests a bustling and vibrant scene, with a mix of religious and commercial activity taking place along the riverbank. The image appears to be an old photograph, likely taken in the late 19th or early 20th century, based on the style of the buildings and the clothing worn by the people in the image.

Created by us.meta.llama3-2-90b-instruct-v1:0 on 2025-06-10

The image is a black-and-white photograph of a riverbank in India, featuring several temples and people engaged in various activities. The photograph was taken by Bourne & Shepherd in 1869.

Key Features:

  • Temples: The image showcases several temples along the riverbank, each with its unique architecture and design. Some temples have multiple levels, while others are single-story structures.
  • River: The river runs along the right side of the image, with several boats and people visible on its surface.
  • People: People are engaged in various activities throughout the image, including bathing, washing clothes, and socializing.
  • Trees: Trees are visible in the background, adding a natural element to the scene.
  • Sky: The sky above is clear, providing a sense of serenity to the image.

Overall Impression:

The image provides a glimpse into life along the riverbank in India during the late 19th century. It showcases the region's rich cultural heritage and the importance of religion in daily life. The photograph also highlights the beauty of the natural surroundings and the vibrant colors of the temples and clothing.

Amazon Nova

Created by amazon.nova-lite-v1:0 on 2025-06-08

The image depicts a historical scene of Varanasi, India, specifically focusing on the ghats along the Ganges River. The ghats, a series of steps leading down to the river, are lined with numerous temples and shrines, showcasing a rich cultural and religious heritage. The architecture of the temples is ornate, with intricate carvings and domes, reflecting traditional Indian craftsmanship.

In the foreground, there are people engaged in various activities, including bathing in the river, washing clothes, and performing rituals. Boats are moored along the riverbanks, and some are in the process of docking. The riverbanks are bustling with life, with vendors and pilgrims walking around. The overall atmosphere is serene yet lively, capturing the essence of Varanasi as a spiritual and cultural hub.

Created by amazon.nova-pro-v1:0 on 2025-06-08

The image is a black-and-white photograph of a city, possibly taken in the early 20th century. The city has many temples with unique designs, such as the dome-shaped roofs and the tower-like structures. The temples are situated on the riverbank, with some of them built on top of the water. There are many people in the area, some of whom are sitting on the ground, while others are standing near the water.

Google Gemini

Created by gemini-2.0-flash-lite on 2025-05-09

Here's a description of the image:

Overall Impression: The image is a vintage photograph, likely from the 19th century, depicting the ghats (steps leading to a river) and temples along a riverbank in India, most likely the Ganges in Varanasi (Benares). The monochrome palette adds to the historical feel.

Foreground: The foreground is a bustling scene. There are steps leading down to the river, and along the steps there are many people are visible, likely performing religious rituals, bathing, or going about their daily activities. There are also boats docked along the river, and several structures.

Midground: The midground features a series of ornate buildings, primarily temples with distinctive domes and spires, typical of Indian architecture. The buildings are constructed from stone and are tiered, stepping up the riverbank.

Background: The background is dominated by the wide, calm river, likely the Ganges. The sky is a hazy white. A few boats are visible on the river's surface.

Composition: The photograph is well-composed. It captures the scale of the river and the grandeur of the architecture. The perspective draws the viewer's eye from the foreground activity to the impressive temples and then out towards the river. The light is diffused, adding a sense of timelessness.

Details: The image has incredible detail, allowing a viewer to appreciate the architecture and the number of people present, as well as the general cultural scene. The image is a valuable document of the city's appearance in a time past. The signature in the bottom left corner reads "Bonne 1169."

Created by gemini-2.0-flash on 2025-05-09

The image is a sepia-toned, slightly elevated view of the ghats (riverfront steps) and temples along a river, likely the Ganges in India. The architecture is characterized by domed and spired temples, many of which are ornately decorated.

In the foreground, there is a bustling area with what appears to be a sandy or earthen ground. Figures are seen engaging in various activities, possibly religious or daily life routines. There are temporary structures like thatched roofs and fabric canopies providing shade.

The middle ground showcases the steps of the ghats leading down to the river. People are gathered near the water's edge, and there are boats docked along the shore. The river is wide and calm, reflecting the sky.

In the background, the structures of the city rise up from the riverbank, with a mix of temples and residential buildings. The overall impression is one of a vibrant and active religious site with a strong connection to the river. The photograph captures the architectural details and the human activity that defines the scene.

Mistral Pixtral

Created by us.mistral.pixtral-large-2502-v1:0 on 2025-05-31

The image depicts a historical riverside scene, likely from India, given the architectural style of the buildings and the presence of ghats (steps leading down to the river). The photograph appears to be from the 19th century, as indicated by the style of the image and the presence of the photographer's name and number in the bottom left corner, which was a common practice during that period.

Key features of the image:

  1. Architecture: The buildings are characterized by traditional Indian temple architecture, with domed roofs, intricate carvings, and tall spires (shikhara). The structures are multi-storied and appear to be made of stone or brick.
  2. River and Ghats: The riverbank is lined with ghats, which are steps leading down to the water. These ghats are used for various activities, including bathing, washing, and religious rituals.
  3. People and Activities: There are several people visible in the image, engaged in various activities. Some are walking along the ghats, while others appear to be involved in tasks near the river. There are also carts and animals, suggesting transportation and trade activities.
  4. Boats: Several boats are seen on the river, indicating that the river is a means of transportation and possibly used for fishing or other river-related activities.
  5. Trees and Landscape: The scene includes trees and vegetation, adding to the natural beauty of the riverside setting.

Overall, the image captures a bustling riverside community with significant cultural and architectural elements, reflecting the daily life and traditions of the people in that era.

Text analysis

Amazon

1169
Bourne 1169
Bourne

Google

Baune 1b9
Baune
1b9