Javascript must be enabled to continue!
Sujan Singh of Bikaner and Ladies Shooting Heron from a Terrace
View through Harvard Museums
This painting depicts a young Sujan Singh (r. 1700-35) of Bikanier shooting herons from a palace terrace. He aims his matchlock gun at a group of heron circling in the sky. Behind him, a princess points to the group of birds, while a female attendant holds a fly whisk. On the left side of the composition, another female attendant picks up a slain heron. The figure behind her carries another matchlock gun. She may be a princess herself, as the attendant behind her holds a standard above her head, a symbol of imperial status. The painting may depict a friendly shooting competition between Sujan Singh and the princess. Female royalty also participated in hunting activities, as it was considered a demonstration of their grace, beauty, and intellect.
Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum Gift in gratitude to John Coolidge Gift of Leslie Cheek Jr. Anonymous Fund in memory of Henry Berg Louise Haskell Daly Alpheus Hyatt Richard Norton Memorial Funds and through the generosity of Albert H. Gordon and Emily Rauh Pulitzer; formerly in the collection of Stuart Cary Welch Jr.
Title: Sujan Singh of Bikaner and Ladies Shooting Heron from a Terrace
Description:
This painting depicts a young Sujan Singh (r.
1700-35) of Bikanier shooting herons from a palace terrace.
He aims his matchlock gun at a group of heron circling in the sky.
Behind him, a princess points to the group of birds, while a female attendant holds a fly whisk.
On the left side of the composition, another female attendant picks up a slain heron.
The figure behind her carries another matchlock gun.
She may be a princess herself, as the attendant behind her holds a standard above her head, a symbol of imperial status.
The painting may depict a friendly shooting competition between Sujan Singh and the princess.
Female royalty also participated in hunting activities, as it was considered a demonstration of their grace, beauty, and intellect.
Related Results
A Portrait of Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner Holding a Sword
A Portrait of Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner Holding a Sword
The drawing depicts Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner (r. 1631-1669) in profile. With both hands, he holds the hilt of a firangi, a type of Indian longsword. Raja Karan Singh wears a lar...
Equestrian Portrait of Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner
Equestrian Portrait of Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner
This fragmentary drawing portrays Raja Karan Singh of Bikaner (r. 1631–69) on horseback. Shown in profile, the ruler wears an elaborate turban and gem-studded jewelry. Detailed bru...
Image frieze over Queen Victoria’s of England coronation procession 1838-06-28, published by Fore 's Sporting & Fine Print Repository, London.
Image frieze over Queen Victoria’s of England coronation procession 1838-06-28, published by Fore 's Sporting & Fine Print Repository, London.
Image frieze on the short ends with glued joints attached sheets paper, l: 185 mm, h: 10.3 mm. Attached to a pearl cardboard sleeve with glued brown pink (?) fabric with pressed fr...
Heron Under Blossoming Lotus Plant at the Water's Edge
Heron Under Blossoming Lotus Plant at the Water's Edge
Executed in ink and light color on paper, this painting in hanging scroll format depicts a white heron standing in shallow waters before grasses, reeds, and a blossoming lotus plan...
Amorous Couple on a Terrace, under an Awning
Amorous Couple on a Terrace, under an Awning
Set in an enclosed terrace and under a bright orange awning is an amorous couple. The terrace has a large opening to an interior. The red decorative curtain that hangs at the door ...
Krishna confers with Balarama
Krishna confers with Balarama
On a garden terrace, the Hindu god Krishna, seated on the right, faces his elder brother and loyal companion, Balarama. The brothers were grandsons of the king of Mathura in northe...
Pair of ladies' stockings, France, ca. 1900. Pair of ladies' stockings made from machine knitted gold silk with a graduated panel of lace butterflies let in at the front ankle. The stockings are outline and surrounded by floral sprigs in white satin stitc
Pair of ladies' stockings, France, ca. 1900. Pair of ladies' stockings made from machine knitted gold silk with a graduated panel of lace butterflies let in at the front ankle. The stockings are outline and surrounded by floral sprigs in white satin stitc
Pair of ladies' stockings, France, ca. 1900. Pair of ladies' stockings made from machine knitted gold silk with a graduated panel of lace butterflies let in at the front ankle. The...
Raja Ram Singh of Jammu
Raja Ram Singh of Jammu
A young Raja Ram Singh (b. 1861-1899) is depicted at the center of the image. He wears a red and gold turban with a large plume and an elaborate turban ornament (sarpech) that is s...

