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A PORTRAIT OF MAHARAJA OF RAGHOGARH On a silver throne above a fine carpet, the ruler holds the hilt of his
RAGHOGARH, CIRCA 1750 long sword with one hand and issues a decree with the other. The
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; verso inscribed: maharaje sri nobleman in his audience is more senior in age and presents a
sawai jai singh ji; “Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh”. wrapped gift. They meet before an attractive mint green background
Image: 9 1/8 x 6 1/2 in. (23.3 x 17.2 cm); below a marbled monsoon sky. The marvelous spontaneity of line
Folio: 11 7/8 x 8 3/8 in. (28.2 x 21.8 cm) marks a refreshing contrast with the controlled formality of the scene.
We can also read a portentous omen within the swelling clouds, as the
Raghugarh state struggled to prosper for little more than a century at
$5,000 - 7,000
the hands of the Marathas.
Compare with a portrait of Vikramajit Singh by Jindu in the National
Museum, New Delhi (Beach, Rajput Painting at Bundi and Kota,
Ascona, 1974, fig.1210). Also see another portrait of the same ruler
sold at Sotheby’s, New York, 22 March 1989, lot 150.
Provenance
Walter Prochownik, Buffalo, New York, 1985
Private Collection, Buffalo, New York
Bonhams, New York, 11 September 2012, lot 110
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