Lot 16: GEORGE LANDSEER

GEORGE LANDSEER 1829 - 1878 'H.H. THE MAHARAJA OF PATTIALA' Signed, dated and inscribed 'G. Landseer/ Calcutta/ 1862/ H.H the Maharaja/ of Pattiala' on reverse Oil on canvas 61 by 44 cm. (24 by 17¼ in.)

Private US Collection

George Landseer was the nephew of Sir Edwin Landseer. George studied at the Royal Academy schools in 1846 and exhibited at the Royal Academy until 1850s when he went to India to paint landscapes and portraits in oil and watercolour. He returned to England in around 1870 and had an exhibition of Indian pictures at the Fine Art Society, London in 1876.

This portrait is of Maharaja Narendra Singh who was born in 1823 and reigned from 1845-1862. Inscribed on a label on reverse that probably dates to Landseer's exhibition at the Fine Art Soceity:

'His Highness the Maharaja of Pattiala KSJ/ Titles and named in Persian Arabic and Hindu/ Chosen child of the British Government/ Chief of the Noble Rajah of Rajahs - A Hero KSJ'

The 'Chosen child of the British Government' is possibly referring to Narinder Singh's allegiance to the British during the first Anglo-Sikh war when he provided them with supplies and carriage. After the annexation of the Sikh State of Lahore to the British in March 1849, the Patiala ruler was generally acknowledged as a spokesman for the Sikh community. Narinder was also to support the British with guns, carriage, loans and troops during the Mutiny of 1857 and was subsequently rewarded with additional estates, titles and honours. He received the grant of Narnaul division of the Jhajjar territory, and was invested with the Order of the Star of India on 6 November 1861 and, in 1862, he was made a member of the Viceroy's Legislative Council.