Bakhat Singh Holds a Pink Rose
Artist/maker unknown, Indian
Geography:
Made in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Marwar Region, India, Asia
Date:
c. 1750Medium:
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paperDimensions:
Image: 12 9/16 × 10 1/16 inches (31.9 × 25.6 cm) Sheet: 13 5/8 × 11 1/8 inches (34.6 × 28.3 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
2004-149-48Credit Line:
125th Anniversary Acquisition. Alvin O. Bellak Collection, 2004
Made in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Marwar Region, India, Asia
Date:
c. 1750Medium:
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paperDimensions:
Image: 12 9/16 × 10 1/16 inches (31.9 × 25.6 cm) Sheet: 13 5/8 × 11 1/8 inches (34.6 × 28.3 cm)Curatorial Department:
South Asian ArtObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:2004-149-48Credit Line:
125th Anniversary Acquisition. Alvin O. Bellak Collection, 2004
Label:
Bakhat Singh's life epitomizes the intrigue that permeated court life. A son of Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur, he murdered his father in 1724 so his elder brother could take over the kingdom. As a reward, Bakhat Singh was given the small neighboring state of Nagaur, which he ruled until he succeeded to the Jodhpur throne in 1751, just after this picture was painted and the year before he himself was poisoned. Rajasthani rulers were often depicted in large-scale, head-and-shoulders portraits, a format adopted from Mughal painting. However, the Rajput artists eliminated shading and emphasized outline and pattern to produce a more ideal and schematic portrayal. Only a few important individual traits were retained so the king could still be recognized. Here, the artist has carefully depicted Bakhat Singh's uncommonly heavy mustache and flat, Marwar-style turban.
Bakhat Singh's life epitomizes the intrigue that permeated court life. A son of Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur, he murdered his father in 1724 so his elder brother could take over the kingdom. As a reward, Bakhat Singh was given the small neighboring state of Nagaur, which he ruled until he succeeded to the Jodhpur throne in 1751, just after this picture was painted and the year before he himself was poisoned. Rajasthani rulers were often depicted in large-scale, head-and-shoulders portraits, a format adopted from Mughal painting. However, the Rajput artists eliminated shading and emphasized outline and pattern to produce a more ideal and schematic portrayal. Only a few important individual traits were retained so the king could still be recognized. Here, the artist has carefully depicted Bakhat Singh's uncommonly heavy mustache and flat, Marwar-style turban.