Maharana Bhim Singh of Mewar at a palace window

Object Details

• Artist

  Workshop of Chokha (active 1779-ca. 1826)

• Sitter

  Maharana Bhim Singh (reigned 1778-1828)

• Court

  Mewar Court

• School/Tradition

  Rajput school

• Label

  During the eighteenth century, court artists in Udaipur began to produce life-size portraits of the kingdom's rulers. This monumental painting depicts Maharana Bhim Singh (reigned 1628-52) sitting at a jharoka or ceremonial window with his arm resting on its carpet-covered ledge. His prominently wielded sword represents a king's traditional role as protector, while the crescent moon refers specifically to the Udaipur royal house. The artist evokes the grandeur of Indian kingship in a masterful composition that balances bold colors and forms with ornately patterned textiles and opulent jewels.

• Provenance

  Ganeshi Lall & Son, Agra, India [1]

  Private collection, New Orleans [2]

  1990

  Vishnu M. Lall, New York City, 1990 [3]

  To 1996

  Terence McInerney, New York to 1996

  From 1996

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, given by Terence McInerney in 1996

  Notes:

  [1] According to Provenance Remark 1 in the object record, this object was in the possession of Ganeshi Lall & Son pre-1967.

  [2] According to Provenance Remark 1 in the object record.

  [3] See note 2.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  A Splendid Land: Paintings from Royal Udaipur (November 19, 2022 to May 14, 2023)

  Facing East: Portraits from Asia (July 1 to September 4, 2006)

  Changing Tastes: Indian Paintings of the 18th and 19th Century (December 17, 2000 to July 15, 2001)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Ganeshi Lall & Son

  Vishnu M. Lal

  Terence G. McInerney (American, born 1948)

• Origin

  Udaipur, Rajasthan state, Mewar, India

• Credit Line

  Gift of Terence McInerney

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1800s, 1810s

• Name

  Ganeshi Lall & Son, Lal, Vishnu M., McInerney, Terence G.

• Place

  Udaipur, Rajasthan state, Mewar, India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Sisodia dynasty (861 - 1947), Maharana, Moon, Outer space, Portraits

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Paintings