Processional Portrait of Prince Bhawani Singh of Sitamau 1855

This is a watercolor painting attributed to Pyara Singh, depicting Prince Bhawani Singh of Sitamau. Notice how the bright yellow background flattens the space, pushing the figures forward. This creates a sense of immediacy, as if the procession is unfolding right before us. The artist uses a limited palette, with reds, browns, and whites providing contrast against the yellow. The figures are outlined with precision, their forms clearly delineated, yet they lack significant volume. The composition is structured around a series of diagonal lines, guiding our eye from the lower left to the upper right, following the Prince and his retinue. But the arrangement of figures and animals appear stylized and hierarchical rather than illusionistic. Consider how the artist has chosen to represent space and depth, favoring a more symbolic representation of power and status. This flattening of perspective is not a failure of realism, but a deliberate choice that emphasizes the symbolic nature of the portrait.