Gulab Singh

Gulab Singh (1792-1857) was a remarkable figure, not just as the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, but also as a patron of the arts. His reign saw a flourishing of culture, particularly in the realm of portraiture. Commissioned during his time, the watercolor portrait of Gulab Singh by an anonymous Company artist captures the essence of his era, blending Indian artistic traditions with influences from the British East India Company. This piece offers a glimpse into the life of a ruler who shaped the political landscape of his region and left an indelible mark on its artistic heritage.