Equestrian Portrait of a Nobleman

Dalchand · 1720-01-01T00:00:00Z

This equestrian portrait shows a minor nobleman atop a chocolate-colored steed. The spirit of the animal is particularly well captured in its stance, and its lively and beautiful head is rendered economically. The black spear pole and the horse's deep, rich hue divide the green background into powerful negative spaces and lend the painting its powerful presence. The subtle description of the rider's face and costume belies the portrait's Mughal antecedents. It is probably by the same hand as another early Marwar equestrian portrait in the Museum's collection (2002.349). Both portraits seem to have been made by the master painter Dalchand, who trained at the Mughal court and then worked in both Marwar and Kishangarh.