Portrait of Maharaja Pratap Singh (1764–1803)c. 1793 · Study 2011.207

Context from the museum

Maharaja Pratap Singh came to the throne in the princely state of Jaipur in 1778 at the age of 14, about 15 years before this portrait was painted. He was a poet and patron of the arts known for commissioning the famous “Palace of the Winds” in Jaipur. At his court he maintained an atelier of about 50 painters, among whom was a Muslim master, Sah ib Ram, to whom this painting is attributed. Pratap Singh was a devotee of the Hindu god Krishna, and the mark on his forehead testifies to this affiliation. Though highly stylized, this portrait is recognizable as an image of Singh because of his profile and the distinctive curl of hair at the nape of his neck.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Portrait of Maharaja Pratap Singh (1764–1803) is 40.5 cm wide and 61.4 cm high, equivalent to approximately 15.9 × 24.2 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.66:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.25 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 13.5% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 129.8 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Portrait of Maharaja Pratap Singh (1764–1803) in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Colored ink drawing, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 40.5 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?