Maharaja Raj Singh Adored by His Ladies

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The small state of Sawar was founded in 1627, and its rajas are related to those of Mewar. In the early eighteenth century, an artist working for Maharaja Raj Singh (1646–1730) produced an exceptional, stylistically distinct group of colored drawings that were probably inspired by like works, in turn based on Mughal prototypes, being made at the Mewari court of Amar Singh II. Here, Maharaja Raj Singh, enormous in scale, is adored by the comparatively diminutive ladies from his harem, who touch and tie ribbons to his clothing and hold gifts for him. Paintings of similar scenes from Kishangarh portray the raja's birthday celebration, at which the prince reciprocates his wives' tokens with gifts for them.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art