The Indian Portrait

An online museum on the fascinating journey of Indian Portraits
from the collection of Anil Relia

King Pururava with Urvashi

King Pururava with Urvashi by Ghasi Dayaram of Jaipur circa 1790 CE Gouache on paper 12.2 x 16.9 in. (31 x 43 cm.) A folio from Jaipur Bhagwad Purana, canto eleven-chapter twenty six, depicts story of a Chandravamshi King Pururava and his wife, a celestial nymph, Urvashi. Based on the story, Pururava was the direct descent of […]

Lord Krishna preaching Arjuna in the battlefield

Lord Krishna preaching Arjuna in the battlefield by Premchandar Ramlal of Nathdwara circa 1900 CE Gouache on paper 12.4 x 9.4 in. (31.5 x 23.9 cm.) Depiction of an episode from the Mahabharata battle in which Krishna motivates Arjuna to fight against the Kauravas and Guru Dronacharya. While Krishna, who chose to be the Arjuna’s sarthi (charioteer), […]

Prithviraj Chauhan

Prithviraj Chauhan (1149-1192) by Nathu Chatera of Mewar circa 1860 CE Gouache on paper 13 x 9.5 in. (33 x 24.1 cm.) Back: “Shri Raja Purtiraj ro paano chatare Nathu najar kidho kimat ri 35” Portraits of Prithviraj are imaginary, and are styled after Maharana Pratap’s portrait which was initially conceptualized by artist Chokha of Mewar and […]

Prithviraj Chauhan shooting Muhammad Ghori

Prithviraj Chauhan (1149-1192) shooting Muhammad Ghori (1149-1206) Attributed to Tara, Mewar court artist circa 1860 CE Gouache on paper 13.6 x 10.1 in. (34.5 x 25.7 cm.) Front: “Prithviraj Chuvan, Patsa Shri Gori Sa, Chand Bhat” Char Bans Chaubi Gaj, ungal asat parman; Ta upar sultan hai, mat chuke Chauhan. This couplet was narrated by […]

Maharana Jai Singh of Mewar

Maharana Jai Singh (1653, r.1680-1698) of Mewar meeting Harirayji Maharaj (1591-1716) by Mewar court artist circa 1860 CE Gouache on paper 11.8 x 9.8 in. (30 x 24.9 cm.) Front: “Shri Harirayji maharaj ke aage Rana Jesinghji bethe hai tinke pichhe paswan khada hai haathjore hai vah chitra lidho” This imaginary composition, done in a […]

Portrait of Atharvaveda

Portrait of Atharvaveda by Mewar court artist circa 1720 CE Gouache on paper 15 x 9.3 in. (38.1 x 23.6 cm.)