Equestrian Portrait of a Maratha Noble
Equestrian Portrait of a Maratha Noble Gwalior, 1850 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 36 x 26 cm Folio: 39.9 x 29.7 cm It is difficult to identify the subject of this exquisite portrait in the absence of an inscription. The man depicted, judging from his distinctive turban, is a Maratha. He is shown […]
Maharaja Duleep Singh
Maharaja Duleep Singh (1838-1893) Punjab, 1845 or later Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 14.5 x 10.8 cm The young boy that’s shown here, rifle in hand, is easily recognized as the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, Duleep Singh. After the assassination of his older brother, Maharaja Sher Singh, he was crowned in […]
Maharao Raja Binay Singh
Maharao Raja Binay Singh (1808, r. 1815-1857) Attributed to Baldev Alwar, 1840 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 18.3 x 12.4 cm Folio: 27.5 x 19 cm Binay Singh was a great patron of the arts and encouraged fine architecture in Alwar, including palaces, gardens, buildings, and roads. In 1815, he built the Moosi […]
Rao Desalji II
Rao Desalji II (1816, r. 1819-1860) Kutch, 1840 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 27.4 x 21.1 cm If we compare this striking portrait of Rao Desalji II with one of his father, Bharmal II1, we see that much had changed in the two or three decades that had passed between the production of […]
Mian Ishwari Singh of Reh
Mian Ishwari Singh of Reh (r. 1830-1859) Nurpur or Reh, 1840 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 18 x 9.3 cm Folio: 24.1 x 15 cm Inscription: (back) Miyan Ishwari Singh Sirmoria. Mian Ishwari Singh was the ruler of the small jagir of Reh in Kangra district and a descendant of Raja Fateh Singh […]
Daulat Rao Scindia of Gwalior
Daulat Rao Scindia (1779-1827) of Gwalior Delhi or Punjab, 1830-40 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 18 x 12.7 cm Folio: 22.1 x 16.1 cm The adopted son of Mahadji Sindhia, who played a key role in the rebuilding of the Maratha Empire after the chaos that followed their defeat in the third Battle […]
Mah Laqa Bai
Mah Laqa Bai (1768-1824) Hyderabad, 1820 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 16 x 9.3 cm Folio: 21.8 x 15.2 cm Inscription: (front) Shri Chandaji Mahalaqashitab An extraordinary woman by all accounts, Mah Laqa Bai rose to prominence in Hyderabad, the highly cultured capital of the Deccan during the late 18th century. She was […]
Begum Samru
Begum Samru (1753-1836) Signed by Khairullah Delhi, 1810-20 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 22.7 x 14 cm Folio: 27.5 x 19 cm Inscription: (front) Amal-e-Khairullah The story of Begum Samru is one of the most intriguing of the later Mughal period. As a woman of extraordinary beauty and intelligence, she rose from humble […]
Raja Man Singh I
Raja Man Singh I (1550-1614) Delhi, 1810-20 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 19 x 11.5 cm Folio: 31.2 x 20.7 cm Inscription: (front) Shabihi Raja Man Singh The stout Raja Man Singh I of Amber is shown here with his hands held out, offering a small spinel, a gem that was greatly admired […]
Gosain Brajmanji
Gosain Brajmanji Jodhpur, 1810 Opaque pigments with gold on paper Image: 26.9 x 20.6 cm Inscription: (back) Gosai Brajmanji While the formal equestrian composition used here was quite common at Jodhpur, the many unusual features of our sitter make this a very exciting image. Gosain Brajmanji is shown with ash and tilak smeared over most […]