Buddhist Temple Complex Swayambhunath (Swayambhu)

A fine sepia tinted engraving from the private publication “Zur Erinnerung an die Reise des Prinzen Waldemar von Preussen nach Indien 1844-1846”, (In Memory of the Journey of Prince Waldemar of Prussia to India in the Years 1844-1846) which was printed posthumously in two volumes in 1853. It was based on the diary, essays notes and letters left by the Prince. The engraving is by Ferdinand Bellerman, from the original work by Prince Wilhelm Waldemar of Prussia, printed by the Konigl Lith Institute in Berlin 1856. This engraving is titled “Budisten Tempel auf Sambunath” (Buddhist Temple on Swayambhunath) and refers to the Swayambhunath (sometimes Swayambu or Swoyambhu) an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. For the Buddhist Newars, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudhha. 
Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Waldemar, son of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Karl of Prussia, visited Sri Lanka, India and Nepal in 1844-1846. As was the Prussian aristocratic custom, he joined the military and by 1838, he had risen in ranks to simultaneously become a Major in the Guard-Dragoons and Commander of the 3rd Guard Militia. In 1844, he was promoted to Colonel of the Guard Artillery Brigade. That same year, he joined Eduard Graf von Oriola, a former captain on the General-staff, and Lieutenant Albrecht Wilhelm von der Groeben on a tour of India. Prince Waldemar maintained a travelogue during his journeys composed of his diaries and sketches of Egypt, Iraq, India, Calcutta, Delhi, Lahore, Bombay, Nepal, and other locations.
Ferdinand Konrad Bellermann (1814 – 1889) was a German painter and naturalist, who is most famous for his scenes of Venezuela, which have been sold at Sotheby's.