Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiar of Mysore, 1801, Thomas Hickey, Oil on Canvas, 75x61 cms.

This painting forms part of a series of sixteen quarter length portraits of Indian Princes, courtiers and ministers which were commissioned by Lord Wellesley. Born in 1791 in Dublin, Thomas Hickey’s works of art form part of major collections at the Courtauld Institute of Art (London), the Honolulu Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Ireland, Tate, Victoria Art Gallery and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Trained at the Royal Dublin Society schools, he acquired fame as a portrait painter. He extensively travelled in the British colonies and documented various members of royalty. After the fall of Tipu Sultan, Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiar ascended the throne in 1799 at the age of three. He can be seen seated here atop a gaddi. With folds of his white choga gathered towards foreground, attention is drawn to his crossed legged posture. Although of a lean build, his broad shoulders are prominent. His right elbow rests atop a bolster while fi ngers rest on his knee along with his left hand in an identical position. A circular pagdi adorned with kalgi on top, encased with pearls, emeralds and rubies show Wadiyar’s regal presence. Numerous pearl necklaces show Hickey’s fi ne brushwork. The richness of rubies and striking emeralds can be seen through the padak below his necklace, accentuating his pearl earrings. Portfolio Name: Company Paintings in Rashtrapati Bhawan
Source: Lalit Kala Akademi