Gouache on paper 11.4 x 6.5 in. (29 x 16.5 cm.) Back:“Sabih Maharaj Shri Anop Singh ji ri bai, Shri ji Sahab ra najar holi ri ki likam Gajadhar bram dusro ki bi samat 1890 miti chatra vad (on a wet stamp) “This painting belongs to the personal collection of H H Maharaja Bikaner” Maharaja Anup Singh was a learned man with a high regard for literature, manuscripts and languages and is known to have collected a large number of rare manuscripts in Sanskrit and other languages while he was posted in Deccan. He also established a library known as Anup Sanskrit library. The three portraits, projected in similar set up and posture, were done by different artists in different periods. As was customary, portraits were often meant as political gifts and thus, were made in multiple copies. Paintings by master painters were often copied by young practicing artists in workshops for polishing their skills.

Mughal-Library