Page 148 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art March 2016 New York
P. 148
104 Created shortly after his succession, this portrait captures the driving
A LARGE EQUESTRIAN PORTRAIT energy of the new maharana. All attention is paid to him; his two
OF MAHARANA JAWAN SINGH attendants are barely visible. Their legs and red shoes couple with the
By Ghasi, Mewar, circa 1830 flailing orange caparison to form a rising diagonal which enhances the
Opaque watercolor with gold and silver on paper; verso inscription forward thrust of king.
translated: ‘Painting of Maharana Jawan Singh on his horse Bero
by the artist Ghasi’; Royal Library inventory number 6/79. Ghasi was the leading court artist under Jawan Singh. This painting
Image: 14 1/2 x 10 in. (37 x 25.5 cm); belongs to a group of large portraits by him and his followers Rama,
Folio: 18 x 13 in. (46 x 33 cm) Nathu, Khaja, and Hasu. A similar portrait was sold at Christie’s,
$4,000 - 6,000 London, 1 October 2012, lot 84.
This portrait shows Jawan Singh (r. 1828-38) riding on a gallant Provenance
chestnut stallion. Nimbate and with a crescent over and before him, Private European Collection, acquired between 1968-72
he looks ahead, stretching his right hand toward the future.
146 | BONHAMS
