Portrait of Maharao Ram Singh II of Kotah (r. 1827-66) on horseback, with two attendants
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Kotah School
Description
March 28, 2009
Ram Singh II of Kota (ruled 1827–1866) was the last great patron of Indian miniature painting. With the rise of the British Raj, most native princes adopted the Eurocentric fashion for photography and oil painting. Ram Singh, by contrast, retained his court atelier and used painting to record his often eccentric activities: one painting even depicts him shooting a tiger while making love.
This colored drawing shows Ram Singh on horseback in idealized form, dwarfing two miniaturized attendants. The drawing may quote depictions of a curious episode of 1850, in which the Maharao rode a horse upon the roof of his palace. Following the performance, he held a special assembly in a room decorated exclusively in pink, at which guests were asked to don pink clothing and turbans as well.
(Label for UMMA South and Southest Asia Gallery Opening Rotation, March 2009); Anonymous
Portrait of Maharao Ram Singh II of Kotah (r. 1827–66)
on horseback, with two attendants
India, Rajasthan, Kotah school
ca. 1840
Opaque watercolor on paper
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink, in honor of Mrs. James
Marshall Plumer on the occasion of her ninetieth birthday, 1992/1.118
Subject Matter:
Ram Singh II of Kota (ruled. 1827-66) was the last great patron of Indian miniature painting. With the rise of the British Raj, most native princes adopted the Eurocentric fashion for photography and oil painting. Ram Singh, by contrast, retained his court atelier and used painting to record his often eccentric activities: one painting depicts him shooting a tiger while making love.
This colored drawing shows Ram Singh on horseback in idealized form, dwarfing two miniaturized attendants. The drawing may quote depictions of a curious episode of 1850, in which the Maharao rode a horse upon the roof of his palace. Following the performance, he held a special assembly in a room decked out exclusively in pink (guests too were asked to don pink clothing and turbans).
Physical Description:
Image of a man on horseback with two men flanking him
Usage Rights:
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