Artwork Page for Portrait of Raja Ram Singh of Amber (r. 1667-1688) with a Deccan Sword (recto)

Details / Information for Portrait of Raja Ram Singh of Amber (r. 1667-1688) with a Deccan Sword (recto)

Portrait of Raja Ram Singh of Amber (r. 1667-1688) with a Deccan Sword (recto)

c. 1680–85

India, Mughal, 17th century

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Medium
Gum tempera and gold on paper
Measurements
Page: 30.4 x 18.5 cm (11 15/16 x 7 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.330.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

The sensitive, naturalistic rendering of weariness and forbearance in the face belies the trappings of favor bestowed on Ram Singh by the Mughal emperors Shah Jahan and Alamgir, whom he served as courtier and general between 1643 and 1688. He was a Hindu ruler from the kingdom of Amber in Rajasthan, under the control of the Mughal empire. Spending most of his life at the imperial court or leading military expeditions for the Mughals, this portrait was included in a Mughal album and inscribed with an Urdu verse indicating his value to the empire: "wherever he has led an expedition, victory is his." He wears a sumptuous coat of honor with a fur collar, woven with gold threads and floral sprigs and costly rubies, emeralds, and pearls. The straight sword with enameled hilt may be the one gifted to him by the emperor upon his succession to the throne as king of Amber in 1667. His long history of service at the imperial court, however, was checkered with troubles, including his allegiances with failed successors of Shah Jahan and the escape of the rebel Shivaji under his watch.

Portrait of Raja Ram Singh of Amber (r. 1667-1688) with a Deccan Sword (recto)

c. 1680–85

India, Mughal, 17th century

See Also

  • Collection
    Indian
  • Department
    Indian and Southeast Asian Art
  • Type of artwork
    Painting
  • Medium
    Tempera
  • Credit line
    Gift In Honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by Exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection

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