KOTA, RAJASTHAN, INDIA CIRCA 1840

Maharao Ram Singh II of Kota ruled from 1826 until 1866. His rule faced increasing turmoil as the British increasingly interfered with the politics of the state. Despite this he was a keen patron of the arts and perhaps the last great patron of Rajasthani court painting. Ram Singh was particularly interested in his artists recording his day-to-day exploits whether they be official court ceremonies and processions or his pastimes including numerous hunting scenes. It is also notable that many of these paintings are in a large format like the present lot. A similarly large painting of the Maharao in procession with a delegation of British officers was sold at Sotheby’s, London, 27 October 2021, lot 148.

A very similar painting of a tiger hunt of Ram Singh II dated circa 1830-40 is in the Cleveland Museum of Art (acc. no. 1991.168). Although smaller that the present lot, both paintings show the Maharao shooting a tiger against a steep rocky backdrop from his boat with a very similar treatment of the figures and vegetation. The Maharao’s boat accompanied by a group of smaller vessels – including some carrying dancers and musicians – is found in the Cleveland paintings as well as another painting of Ram Singh II at the Gangaur Festival in the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia (acc.no.580). Another similarly sized painting of Ram Singh II hunting tigers was part of the Ann & Gordon Getty Collection which was sold at Christie’s, New York, 24 October 2022, lot 1146.