A portrait of Sawai Ram Singh II, Maharaja of Jaipur (r. 1835-80), Jaipur, circa 1880, opaque gouache on paper heightened with gold, set on a mount composed on a collage of marbled paper, interspersed with bands of nasta'liq script containing tradition of the Prophet, 13.8 x 13.5cm. page 26 x 24.3cm. Provenance: Private collection, Europe, 1980s-2015This appears to be a portrait painted after the Album of 'Cartes de Visite' portraits of Indian rulers by Bourne and Shepherd, which was done in the 1870s. Known as the 'photographer prince', Ram Singh was a very modern ruler and during his reign he reformed slavery and infanticide, and officially banned widow burning in his state. He studied photography and his personal studio or photukhana had the most up to date equipment, employing a Calcutta-based English photographer with whom he recorded the buildings of Jaipur, the people their costumes and culture. Maharaja Ram Singh was the most enlightened and progressive ruler of his time. The British Government recognized his outstanding merits by nominating him twice a member of the newly formed Legislative Council, and by adding four guns to his salute. The title of G.C.S.I was also conferred upon him.Please refer to department for condition report