The Maharani of Travancore

Portrait of a Maharani of Travancore, three-quarter length, facing slightly to the right; carrying a book-shaped casket in a dish; she wears a gold and cream strapless dress with a red and gold brocade shawl around her shoulders; she has two rings on her right hand, pearl necklaces, gold earrings, and a diamond pendant through her nose.

The sitter is perhaps the sister of Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma, Maharaja of Travancore from 1880 to 1885. She is depicted holding a casket containing a loyal address from the ladies of Travancore to Queen Victoria on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee.

Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was celebrated for his success in depicting scenes from the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana in a European academic style. He was influenced by French painters such as William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Gustave Boulanger. His exploitation of lithography to reproduce his paintings ensured that his work reached a mass market. Recognition in Europe came after he was awarded first prize in the Vienna Art Exhibition in 1873. Chiefly remembered for his paintings of shapely women in traditional costume, Varma is recognised as one of the greatest painters in the history of Indian art.