Artwork

Posthumous portrait of Raja Chhatar Singh of Chamba smoking a hookah with his brother and son

Posthumous portrait of Raja Chhatar Singh of Chamba smoking a hookah with his brother and son is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting is a posthumous portrait of Raja Chhatar Singh of Chamba, depicted with his brother and son.

Accession no.: 1960.47
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund

About this work

Overview

This painting is a posthumous portrait of Raja Chhatar Singh of Chamba, depicted with his brother and son.

Subject & Meaning

The scene shows Chhatar Singh, with a thinning gray beard, smoking a hookah with his son Udai Singh. The king's gesture, pointing to his chest, signifies his death. The hookah and sword create a visual link between Chhatar Singh and Udai Singh, symbolizing the transfer of royal power.

Technique & Style

The work is characteristic of Pahari portraiture, where hookah smoking is associated with elite royal status. The composition creates a quiet, intimate connection between the figures.

Context

The painting is associated with the Pahari kingdoms of northern India, where such portraits were created to commemorate rulers and their lineage.