Who painted Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II?

Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II was painted by Unknown in 1835.

Where can I see Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II?

Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II?

Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II

Unknown , 1835

Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II is an unspecified painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1991.168
Credit line: Seventy-fifth anniversary gift of Dr. Norman Zaworski

About this work

Overview

The work titled “Tiger Hunt of Ram Singh II” portrays a royal hunting expedition in the princely state of Kota, India. A mounted monarch is shown discharging a firearm at a tiger, while surrounding figures and animals animate the scene beneath the steep cliffs that dominate the local terrain.

Subject & Meaning

The composition emphasizes the king’s authority and martial prowess, juxtaposing the violent chase with spectators, women and musicians in small riverboats, who observe the event with admiration. The inclusion of fire‑brands and bears being driven away further underscores the controlled chaos of the hunt as a display of power.

Technique & Style

Rendered in vivid, flat areas of colour, the painting favours decorative clarity over naturalistic detail. The artist employs bold outlines and a stylised arrangement of figures, prioritising narrative clarity and symbolic representation rather than realistic perspective.

History & Provenance

Commissioned during the reign of Ram Singh II, the piece reflects the artistic patronage typical of Rajput courts in the 19th century. It remains associated with the Kota royal collection, documenting a ceremonial hunt that reinforced the ruler’s legitimacy.

Context

Royal hunts were a traditional means for Indian princes to demonstrate sovereignty and control over nature. In Kota, such events were staged against the dramatic cliff‑lined landscape, integrating local geography into the visual rhetoric of power.