Edwin Lord Weeks was born in Boston to an old New England family. Although little was known about his early life, his parents were affluent spice and tea merchants. They accepted and probably financed his youthful painting and travels.

As a young man in the 1870's went to Paris and applied to train at Ecole des Beaux-Arts under Jean-Leon Gerome. While waiting for the application to be accepted, he worked privately in the studio of Leon Bonnat, a good friend of Gerome. In 1874 when he was finally accepted by Gerome, he was so happy with his progress in the studio of Bonnat, he declined Gerome's offer. The Boston journals proclaimed him to be a student of Gerome even though it never really happened.

Weeks traveled extensively to Morrocco and Tangiers. His success was founded on his paintings of North Africa were he distinguished himself by accessing regions of Morocco previously closed to Western travelers. One of his earliest paintings, dated 1872, depicting the port of Tangiers still survives from this period and appears to be one of the first of his works in the Orientalist style that he became known for.

In 1882, Weeks made his first journey to India opening an area previously unexplored by Western artists. He recorded ancient Indian culture and architecture. His presence in India coincided with the height of the British Raj during the 1880's and Weeks captured the Victorian romance and splendor of Indian civilization. This fact was recognized when Weeks was invited to exhibit a large collection of his works at the Empire of India Exhibition held in London in 1895.

In France, Weeks didn't exhibit either in America or at the Paris Salon until 1880. When he finally did return to France, in 1896, he was made Knight of the Legion of Honour. He became part of an increasingly noteworthy colony of American expatriate artists, competing with natives and foreigners alike and eventually becoming one of the city's most celebrated artists.

Edwin Weeks continued to paint until his death in 1903, which is thought to have been due to an illness he contracted in India. During his life, Weeks was a member of the Legion of Honour, France, an officer of the Order of St Michael, Germany, and a member of the Secession, Munich as well as, a very successful artist.

Moorish Girl on Couch Oil on board 18 7/8" x 28 1/2" Private collection	Golden Temple Amritsar Oil on canvas 213.4 x 302.3 cm Private collection	Water Carriers; Ganges Oil on canvas 24 3/8" x 36 3/8" Private collection
Silk Merchants Oil on canvas 35 7/8" x 25 7/8" Private collection	Girl in Courtyard Oil on canvas 28 1/2" x 39 1/4" Private collection	Two Nautch Girls Oil on canvas 23" x 18 1/8" Private collection