Artwork
Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur
Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur is a paint painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 17th-century opaque watercolour on paper portrays Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur in a leisurely setting, surrounded by attendants and musicians.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a moment of royal indulgence, with the raja smoking a huqqa, listening to music, and being served by a fan-bearing attendant, conveying the comforts and privileges of rulership.
Technique & Style
Executed in opaque watercolour, the work features bold, vibrant colours (notably reds, whites, and blues) and intricate details, such as striped and embroidered clothing, on a carpeted, carpeted floor against a green-walled backdrop with a window.
History & Provenance
Originally part of the Bilaspur-Sirmoor family collection of Thakur Iswari Singh, the painting was acquired in 1954. Later additions include Persian inscriptions on its folded mount.
Context
While the painting's style bears some resemblance to Baroque (as hinted by the vibrant, detailed composition), its execution and subject matter are rooted in Indian miniature painting traditions of the time.
Legacy
No specific information is provided on the painting's impact or legacy beyond its preservation and display, highlighting its value as a historical record of 17th-century Bilaspur's royal life.
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
