India, Pahari Region, possibly Kulu, late 18th century

This refined portrait of an unknown subject is from the Pahari school and likely painted in the late eighteenth century. The depiction of the prince is rendered with fine, elegant outlines and meticulous detail, embodying the lyricism and subtlety found in works from the upper reaches of the Punjab hills. The outline of the sitter's profile and his sloping eyes and eyebrows are common features found in portraiture from this region. The rounded horizon with thick white swirling clouds, as well as the simple portrait composition with a striped rug and pale green background, are strongly reminiscent of works from Kulu in particular. Compare the elongated rendering of the hands and the stylistic treatment of the white jama and red turban of a similarly rendered sitter in a Kulu painting at the Cleveland Museum of Art (see WG Archer, Indian Painting from the Punjab Hills, London and New York, 1973, vol.1, p.338, vol.2, p.254, fig.33).