INDIA, RAJASTHAN, MEWAR, CIRCA 1762-1765

The present painting belongs to a series of portraits of royal elephants commissioned by Maharana Ari Singh (r. 1762-72). Named by inscription, the present painting depicts the elephant Chanchal Gaj, who first entered the royal stable at Mewar under the reign of Pratap Singh II (r. 1751-54). Several paintings from this series are set on a stark blue background, with a red border and inscribed with the name of the elephant. The present painting depicts Chachal Gaj enjoying a light stride with three of his handlers. Although the elephant had been in the stable for at least ten years at the time of this portrait, the chained ankles and posture of his mounted handler imply Chachal Gaj is still in training.
Related portraits are published by A. Topsfield, Paintings from Rajasthan in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1980, pp. 128-130, nos. 191-195. Other painting from this series are in the collection of the Morgan Library and Museum (acc. no. MS M.1006) and the San Diego Museum of Art (acc. no. 1990.622). Two further paintings from this series sold at Christie's New York, 13 September 2010, lot 211, and another from the Bourelier Collection at Art Curiel, Paris, 4 November 2014, lot 229.