INDIA, LATE 19TH-EARLY 20TH CENTURY

Adorned in lavish jewellery and luxurious court regalia, the maharajas depicted here can possibly be identified as Madho Rao Scindia of Gwalior (figure with a green headdress) and Sardar Singh of Jodhpur (figure wearing a blue turban). The portraits are rendered with a vivid colour palette and a high degree of realism. The rulers’ adornments are meticulously detailed, with the signature Jodhpur necklace – composed of pearls and emeralds – serving as a key identifier. Likely executed by artists who were exposed to Western influences during this period of time, the portraits present the maharajas seated in a three-quarters view, a typical pose in European portraiture. This marks a striking departure from the Indian artistic traditions, where rulers were conventionally depicted in strict profile. Additionally, the large scale of these paintings is in stark contrast to traditional miniatures, suggesting a stylistic resemblance to 19th-century European academic portraiture and further indicating the influence of Western artistic conventions, which gained popularity during this time.
For comparison, see maharaja portraits sold at Christie’s London on 12 June 2014, lot 193, as well as a portrait housed at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (acc. no. 08119(IS)). Both date to late 19^th to early 20^th century and display a strong European stylistic influence similar to the present lot.