Edwin Lord Weeks was born in Boston to an old New England family. As a young man in the 1870's went to Paris to train at Ecole des Beaux-Arts under Jean-Leon Gerome and privately with Leon Bonnat. In France, Weeks 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.

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.

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.