The young Raja Sansar Chand out riding with companions, attributed to the Guler artist Khushala, India, Kangra, dated 1777

J.P. Losty, Mystical Realm of Love Pahari Paintings from the Eva and Konrad Seitz Collection, London, 2017, p.352, no.101

inscription

‘Sri Raja Sansar Chand. Sam[vat] 35 Magha 28'

The inscription on the reverse indicates that this is a portrait of Sansar Chand in 1777. This equestrian scene shows the young prince out riding with companions. He possesses a long nose and firm chin associated with other depictions of Sansar Chand. His age is determined by his lack of facial hair and absence of his characteristic hooped gold, pearl and spinel earrings that in later portraits differentiated him from his son Anirudh (Desai 1985, p.73). He is depicted riding alongside an elderly gentleman who is the only one in the group not wearing a turban from the Katoch Rajput clan. The smaller figure in front is believed to be Sansar's younger brother Fateh Chand and is similar to a portrait of Sansar and Fateh Chand painted by Khushala circa 1775 (Losty 2017, p.348). The bearded courtiers following the group have not been identified but also appear in a portrait of Sansar Chand published in Randhawa 1961, fig.3. The simple style and monochrome background is indicative of an early Kangra portrait style.