Artwork
Thakur Padam Singh
Thakur Padam Singh is a paint painting by the Baroque artist Manna. It dates from 1721 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Thakur Padam Singh, ruler of Ghanerao (1720-1742), is depicted in a rare, informal Indian royal portrait, surrounded by nobles, a musician, attendants, and dogs, conveying his interests and authority.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures Padam Singh's leisurely moment, receiving a wine-cup from a female attendant amidst armed nobles and hunting accoutrements (rifles, daggers, dogs), highlighting his patronage of arts and penchant for hunting.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose brushstrokes, suggesting a quick execution, the work exhibits an unrefined Jodhpur court style with subtle European Baroque influences, distinguishing it from more formal contemporary Indian portraits.
History & Provenance
Attributed to artist Manno of Ghanerao (noted in an inscription on the reverse, dated AD 1721, Ajmer), possibly created during a hunting expedition, with the artist likely accompanying his patron.
Context
Uncommon for Indian royal portraiture at the time, this piece reflects the cultural exchange and artistic preferences of smaller Rajasthani courts like Ghanerao, blending local traditions with external stylistic elements.
Legacy
Now part of a broader collection highlighting Ghanerao's artistic patronage, with related works by Manno available for comparison at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Manna painted portraits in the early 1700s, capturing royal figures like Thakur Padam Singh in precise detail.
