Maharana Swarup Singh (1815, r. 1842-1861)
worshiping Shrinathji at Nathdwara
by Nathdwara Haveli artist
circa 1850 CE
Gouache on paper
13.6 x 9.8 in. (34.5 x 24.9 cm.)
Back: “Chitra Shrinathji ko Shit kal ko Shringar ko Golpapg ghar Dwarvaga,
Maharana Sarup Singhji”
“Govind ji Girdhari”
“Ranaji Sarup Singh ji”
Unlike most of the large Nathdwara manorath paper paintings, this smaller version of Maharana Swarup Singh worshipping Shrinathji is done in Nathdwara qalam. Outfit of the Shrinathji idol and pichawai (backdrop) are rendered in pink which possibly suggests at the Falgun or Holi darshan.
Maharana Swarup Singh has a large green-golden nimbus around his face and is worshipping in a humbling pranaam mudra. On the other side are a Goswami and a young child where the Goswami is fanning the idol with a morchal (peacock feather fan). A deep sky blue tone against the shikhara (top of super structure) of the Haveli hints at an evening set up.