This is a painting by Raja Ravi Varma of His Highness Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma (1832–1880) who was the ruler of Travancore from 1860 to 1880. Raja Ravi Varma is said to have first met the Maharaja when he was fourteen years old. It is also said that it was this maharaja who allowed Ravi Varma to view albums of pictures of European art in his library.