Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III
Indian portraiture in the later nineteenth century assumed not only the external trappings of European painting but also the poise of studio photographs. This portrait of a Mysore raja is a splendid example of the genre. The sitter, probably Krishnaraja III (r. 1799–1868) of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore, is attended by a senior courtier. The artist captured the sitter’s lively intelligence as he gazes at the viewer, as if seated in a studio facing the camera lens. The maharaja wears a black tunic with a white lungi (skirt cloth) and sits on an ivory chair, emulating European models. The glazed floor tiles are likely of English manufacture, as is the double-glass wall lamp. Krishnaraja III retained his royal income under British rule and pursued an active life of intellectual pursuits, including mathematics, astrology, and inventing board games.
Artwork Details
- Title: Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III
- Date: ca. 1870
- Culture: India, Karnataka, Mysore
- Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 23 1/16 × 18 11/16 in. (58.5 × 47.5 cm)
Framed: 29 1/8 × 24 5/8 × 1 1/8 in. (74 × 62.5 × 2.9 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, by exchange, 2022
- Object Number: 2022.253
- Rights and Reproduction: Photo © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Tara
1845–46
Western India, Maharashtra, Paithan or northern Karnataka
1800–1850
Western India, Maharashtra, Paithan or northern Karnataka
1800–1850
Court of King Mindon or Thibaw, or associated workshops
1870s–1880s
Sakai Ōho
ca. 1839
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.