In these twin studies of Maharaja Pratap Singh (r.1778-1803) by his artist Sahib Ram, the royal features are delineated with deliberation and economy of line. The enlarged, leaf-like eye and brow curved like a bow belong to ancient Indian poetic traditions of beauty. Many such drawings were made as cartoons for mural or panel paintings, some depicting scenes of Krishna with Radha and the gopis.
Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2nd February-22nd April 2012, Visions of Mughal India: The Collection of Howard Hodgkin, Andrew Topsfield, ed. (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2012), no. 111 on p. 258, illus. p. 259
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