Kunwar Ajit Singh's Revels in a Garden

This extraordinary, large-scale painting depicts a boisterous gathering in the garden of Sawar ruler Kunwar Ajit Singh. The long inscription at the center, written in the local dialect, identifies the subject as “a painting of the royal garden.” A great variety of flowering plants are neatly arranged to form a rich display of colors and imagined scents. Palms and other trees in full foliage provide further textures as well as markers to guide the viewer’s gaze. Tucked into the garden layout are clusters of figures, most of whom are named by inscriptions. In the lower half, the yellow-clad Ajit Singh receives an official outside a palatial pavilion. Courtiers and servants scatter around the garden preparing and consuming intoxicating concoctions; many are deep in delirium and stupor. The artist Pemji is known for his court scenes and comical characterizations of intoxicated men, which were likely intended for the entertainment of courtly circles. This painting is the largest and most complex among his known works. According to the inscription, Pemji (Indian, active c. 1780-1800) was responsible for the underdrawing and Tarji (Indian, c. 1780-1800?) did the painting (coloring). Pemji is known for his court scenes and comical characterizations of intoxicated men, which were likely intended for the entertainment of courtly circles. This painting is the largest and most complex among his known works.