Artwork
The Rajah, Nagode
The Rajah, Nagode is a photography by the Impressionist artist Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2022.58.33
- Credit line
- Alma Kroeger Fund
About this work
It’s one of the first times a Western photographer framed an Indian ruler like a portrait, not a curiosity.
A man in a turban and rich robes sits on a carved wooden chair, holding a sword across his lap. Behind him, a servant fans him with peacock feathers.
Rousselet didn’t paint this, he took it as a photograph in India in the 1860s. At the time, most Europeans saw India through drawings. This photo shows the real textures: the shine of silk, the grain of wood.
It’s one of the first times a Western photographer framed an Indian ruler like a portrait, not a curiosity.
For more photos like this, look up the subject france, 19th century.
Overview
The Rajah, Nagode is a photograph taken by Louis Rousselet in India during the 1860s. It is a portrait of an Indian ruler, showcasing the textures and details of his attire and surroundings.
Subject & Meaning
The photograph depicts a man, identified as the Rajah of Nagode, seated on a carved wooden chair, holding a sword and being fanned by a servant. The image presents a dignified representation of an Indian ruler, capturing the richness of his robes and the intricacy of his surroundings.
Technique & Style
Rousselet's photograph demonstrates a sophisticated sense of composition, effectively conveying the textures and details of the scene. The image showcases the capabilities of photography in capturing the nuances of Indian culture and architecture, as opposed to the more interpretive nature of drawings.
History & Provenance
The photograph was taken during Rousselet's time in India in the 1860s, a period when he learned photography to better document the country's monuments and culture. It is part of a collection that spans various sites and subjects across northern India.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet
Louis-Théophile Marie Rousselet (1845–1929) was a French artist.
