MANDI, NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1780

Raja Shamsher Sen (1727-1781) was the grandson of Raja Sidh Sen of Mandi (r. 1684-1727), a portrait of which was painted by the Master at the Court of Mankot in around 1730 (now in the Rietberg Museum, RVI 1225; M. Beach, E. Fischer, B. Goswamy and J. Britschgi, Masters of Indian Painting, Vol II, 1650-1900, Artibus Asiae. Supplementum 48 I/II, 2011, fig.11, p514). Mandi painting evolved out of painting in Basohli in a more independent way than other schools such as Kulu did. By 1780 however, there is a definitive attempt to leave behind the rustic look of earlier 18th century paintings. Like Mankot, it specialized in portraiture. According to Archer, Raja Shamsher Sen was noted for 'mental instability, a wilful liking for low companions, crazy habits and even at times for odd dressings-up'. For a portrait of him and a short discussion on the Raja, see W.G. Archer, Visions of Courtly India, The Archer Collection of Pahari Miniatures, Washington, 1976, cat.59, pp.110-111. Another portrait is published in Rajput Miniatures from the Collection of Edwin Binney, 3rd, Portland, 1968, cat.67, p.89.