Add Or 4662

Maharana Bhim Singh of Mewar (born 1768, reigned 1778-1828) out hunting on horseback with attendants.

By a Mewar artist c.1800-1810.

Opaque water-colour, body-colour and gold; size of painting (exceeding frame on two sides) ........... mm; size of album page ........ mm..

Purchased April 1992.

Note: Maharana Bhim Singh wears a blue jama, crimson paijama and an orange turban, and rides a plump caparisoned stallion with distinctive leg-of-mutton legs in the manner of Chokka. On his gauntleted left hand sits a hawk, and with his right he holds a hookah snake, the hookah itself being held by an attendant marching alongside. Another attendant on each side holds a chowrie, while behind a fourth holds the solar standard of Mewar over the Maharana’s head. A dog-handler at the bottom of the picture holds the leash of a large and excited saluki hound, while one hunstman in front of the horse holds a bow and two arrows, and another proffers a dead bird to the Maharana. The figures are set against a pale aquamarine ground, while the horizon consists of rolling beige and green hills overhung by thunderclouds. Minute scenes of village life (women fetching water from a lake, gambolling calves) at the top complete the picture.