A great admirer of Ravi Varma, Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the ruler of Mysore (1884-1940), the Maharaja regularly summoned the artist to the palace and commissioned several portraits. Ravi Varma, himself bowled over the by the respect and admiration, never missed an opportunity to go to Mysore. This portrait of the young Maharaja in his regal finery is a classic -- note the quintessential pillar and dark maroon drapery that was Ravi Varma's hallmark for portraits of the Royals.