Where can I see Portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh of Bikaner (reigned 1574-1612)?

Portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh of Bikaner (reigned 1574-1612) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh of Bikaner (reigned 1574-1612)?

Portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh of Bikaner (reigned 1574-1612) is associated with Mughal Painting.

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Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh of Bikaner (reigned 1574-1612) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh of Bikaner (reigned 1574-1612)

Nur Muhammad , 1590

Portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh of Bikaner (reigned 1574-1612) is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Nur Muhammad. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh, ruler of Bikaner from 1574 to 1612.

Accession no.: 1987.1100
Credit line: Gift of Flora D. Glass and Elwood G. Glass Jr.

About this work

Overview

The work is a portrait of Maharaja Rai Singh, ruler of Bikaner from 1574 to 1612. Executed as a drawing that would have guided later painted versions, it presents the sovereign in regal attire, poised with a sword, his visage rendered with careful attention to expression and detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition emphasizes the Maharaja’s authority and confidence, conveyed through his direct gaze and poised stance. The inclusion of ceremonial dress and weaponry underscores his status as a warrior‑king, while the subtle facial nuances suggest a measured, contemplative ruler within the Rajput tradition of courtly representation.

Technique & Style

Attributed to the artist Nur Muhammad, the drawing displays assured contour lines and fine shading that model the three‑dimensionality of the figure. Delicate strokes create a layered sense of depth, particularly around the facial features, while the overall execution reflects the refined aesthetic of late‑16th‑century Mughal‑Rajput court art.

History & Provenance

A Persian inscription on the reverse identifies Nur Muhammad, an artist active between the 1570s and 1630s, whose family had settled in Bikaner by the mid‑1500s and also served the Mughal imperial workshop, notably for Akbar’s mother. The drawing entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains on display as an example of cross‑court artistic exchange.