Who painted The Rajah Starting on a Hunt?

The Rajah Starting on a Hunt was painted by Edwin Lord Weeks in ca. 1885.

Where can I see The Rajah Starting on a Hunt?

The Rajah Starting on a Hunt is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Rajah Starting on a Hunt?

The Rajah Starting on a Hunt is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

The Rajah Starting on a Hunt

Edwin Lord Weeks , 1885

The Rajah Starting on a Hunt is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Edwin Lord Weeks. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

Stylistically, the work aligns with the Orientalist movement, reflected in its thematic focus and formal qualities.

Edwin Lord Weeks executed The Rajah Starting on a Hunt in 1885 using oil paint on a canvas support. The painting measures 100.5 by 81.3 centimeters. Stylistically, the work aligns with the Orientalist movement, reflected in its thematic focus and formal qualities.

As a history painting, the composition centers on a male figure, a rajah, rendered with the rich coloration and detailed textural handling characteristic of Weeks's Orientalist aesthetic. The application of oil paint allows for the vivid rendering of light and material detail essential to the genre.

History & Provenance

The painting was completed by Edwin Lord Weeks in 1885 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, within The American Wing. The title, The Rajah Starting on a Hunt, aligns with Weeks's documented Orientalist subject matter. The work measures 100.5 cm in height by 81.3 cm in width.

The available sources do not specify a unique accession number for the piece, nor do they detail any exhibition or loan history, though its identification within the museum's holdings is established.

Overview

Titled "The Rajah Starting on a Hunt," this oil on canvas work depicts a regal figure on horseback, accompanied by a leopard, set against the backdrop of an elaborate palace. The composition employs a vibrant palette, with rich gold and red tones dominating the architecture. The artist's attention to detail creates an immersive visual experience, capturing a specific moment in time.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork portrays a rajah, an Indian sovereign, poised to embark on a hunting expedition. Mounted on a horse, he is accompanied by a leopard, likely a trained companion for the chase. The grand palace in the background underscores the ruler's status and the opulence of his environment, framing the scene as a moment of ceremonial departure.

Artist & collection

Artist

Edwin Lord Weeks

Edwin Lord Weeks (1849–1903) was an artist, born in Boston.

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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