Maharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female Bears
Attributed to Pannalai
Not on view
The painting traditions of the princely state of Mewar, in Rajasthan, remained vital even into the early part of the twentieth century. Hunting and palace scenes were still the most popular subject, but artists began to employ more shading and perspective, likely in response to the increasing presence of photography at court. Numerous hunting scenes were painted during the reign of Fateh Singh (1884–1930), often radically unconventional compositions marked by large tracts of harsh landscape. Here the ruler, concealed in a treetop, shoots his rifle downward from point-blank range after having likely lured in the unfortunate bear with scented bait. The bear is depicted five times, creating a compelling narrative of the event. Skeletal trees and deep ravines cast in shadow add a startlingly bleak atmosphere to this shocking image of a kill.
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