Artwork
Raja Anand Dev
Raja Anand Dev is a paint painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Raja Anand Dev of Bahu is portrayed in this circa 1700 opaque watercolour on paper, capturing the ruler in a leisurely, refined pose.
Subject & Meaning
Seated on a pink cushion, Raja Anand Dev is depicted with symbols of his wealth and status: a white turban, yellow vest over a white shirt, a hookah in his right hand, and a flower in his left, conveying an air of luxury and refinement.
Technique & Style
The painting exhibits characteristics of the Baroque style, notably through its use of bright, vibrant colours against a subdued gray background, and the overall opulent yet intimate composition, typical of Baroque portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created around 1700, the artwork's specific provenance history is not detailed here, though its style aligns with contemporary Baroque-influenced Indian portraiture of the time.
Context
This portrait reflects the cultural and artistic exchanges of its era, blending Indian royal subject matter with European Baroque stylistic influences, common in 18th-century Indian princely states.
Legacy
While not attributed to a specific renowned artist, the painting represents a typical example of Baroque-inspired portraiture in early 18th-century India, offering insight into the aesthetic tastes and status symbols of the region's royalty.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
