Artwork
Equestrian Portrait of Maharana Raj Singh II of Mewar (r. 1755–62)
Equestrian Portrait of Maharana Raj Singh II of Mewar (r. 1755–62) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a ceremonial procession centered on a black horse adorned with gold chains.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Maharana Raj Singh II of Mewar mounted on horseback, a visual assertion of his sovereign authority and martial prowess. The equestrian format, traditionally reserved for rulers, underscores his role as a warrior-king and reinforces the Rajput ideal of combined spiritual and temporal power, functioning as a symbolic affirmation of legitimacy within the Mewar court.
History & Provenance
Its documented exhibition history is not specified in the available sources, which primarily confirm its current location and inventory designation.
The equestrian portrait of Maharana Raj Singh II was created around 1760 in Mewar, during or shortly after his reign of 1755–62, and is attributed to an unknown artist. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art under accession number 2018.148. Its documented exhibition history is not specified in the available sources, which primarily confirm its current location and inventory designation.
Overview
The work depicts a ceremonial procession centered on a black horse adorned with gold chains. A man and a woman sit astride the animal; the woman wears a vivid red garment trimmed in gold, while the male figure holds the reins. Six additional figures in loose white and red attire, each with a turban, stand or walk nearby. The backdrop consists of muted green and yellow tones with a subtle sky and cloud formation.
Technique & Style
Executed in a painted medium, the piece employs a flat, decorative approach typical of 18th‑century Indian court art. Gold leaf or pigment highlights the saddle and garment trim, while intricate patterning on the clothing creates texture without relying on deep modeling. The limited perspective and stylized landscape background focus attention on the figures and their regalia.
Artist & collection
