Who painted Raja Pratap Chand?

Raja Pratap Chand was painted by Unknown in 1845.

Where can I see Raja Pratap Chand?

Raja Pratap Chand is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Raja Pratap Chand?

Raja Pratap Chand is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

Raja Pratap Chand

Unknown , 1845

Raja Pratap Chand is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work portrays a multi‑scene narrative centered on Raja Pratap Chand. In the foreground a ruler sits on a swing with a woman, while the same woman appears again in a turret observing a storm, and beyond the palace walls Pratap Chand is shown departing. The composition is rendered in opaque watercolour on paper and dates to 1845, though the artist remains unidentified.

Subject & Meaning

The painting juxtaposes intimate and public moments, suggesting a tension between private desire and royal duty. The repeated figure of the mistress, first as companion, then as distant observer, may allude to separation or betrayal, while the storm motif reinforces an atmosphere of emotional turbulence.

Technique & Style

Executed in opaque watercolour, the piece employs a limited palette that has faded over time, yet retains traces of vivid reds and greens in the garments. The figures are outlined with a calm demeanor, while their gestures convey a subtle strain, characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century Indian courtly portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created in 1845, the painting’s origins are linked to a period of regional princely patronage in northern India. Its attribution to an unknown hand reflects the common practice of workshop production, where individual artists were rarely recorded. The work entered the museum collection through a 20th‑century acquisition of South Asian art.

Context

The scene reflects contemporary courtly customs, such as the use of palace swings for leisure and the presence of musicians. The inclusion of architectural elements like a turret and courtyard aligns with the architectural vocabulary of Indian palaces, while the storm may reference prevailing literary motifs of upheaval in royal narratives.