Current in the British Museum under \'Not on Display\'
Bagta was an Indian miniature painter of Rajput style, renowned for his work in Udaipur and later as a master in Deogarh sub-school in Rajasthan. He initially worked in the royal court of Udaipur, probably from around 1761–1768, during the reign of Maharana Ari Singh II. He received his training in the Udaipur painting atelier, where artists generally followed an established court style. Around 1769, Bagta moved to Deoghar which was a significant event in his career. At Udaipur, Bagta had been one artist among many working within a powerful court tradition. At Deogarh, he had a much smaller court and greater opportunity to respond directly to the tastes of his patrons. He worked with a diverse range of themes, producing court scenes, equestrian portraits, large-scale topographic views and hunting scenes. He gave unusual importance to nature, using elevated perspectives and intricate compositions to create lively, realistic, and visually rich paintings.
The painting ‘Rawat Gokul Das and Kunvar Devi Singh hunting birds’ is part of the equestrian paintings of Bagta’s collection. The scene shows the young Gokul Das, Bagta’s greatest patron in the coming years, and Kunvar Devi Singh, perhaps returning from a successful hunt. The painting shows richly dressed horsemen accompanied by a standing figure, creating a lively scene of royal activity. The horses are placed at the centre, emphasizing movement and strength. The painting uses a bright and contrasting colour palette, particularly yellow, red, white, green, and blue. The extensive yellow background also creates a strong contrast with the figures and gives the composition a decorative quality.
The painting shows Bagta’s incredible attention to detail and expertise in painting ornamentation as the horses are decorated with elaborate harnesses and the riders are endowed in richly ornamented garments, turbans and jewellery signifying their royal status. The painting therefore combines courtly splendour, portraiture, satire and documentary observation
Bagta's Rawat Gokul Das and Kunvar Devi Singh Hunting Birds is a visual interpretation of royal power, aristocratic identity and the culture of hunting in the eighteenth-century Rajasthan. Bagta doesn't just depict hunting as an outdoor activity, but also a celebration of status, masculinity, wealth and the communication between the Rajput kings and their surrounding.
The richly decorated horses placed at the center of the composition immediately attract the attention of movement, strength and prestige. The riders seem to be in a state of confidence and tranquility, indicating that the hunt is not just a physical activity but also a display of royal prowess and authority. They are dressed lavishly, wear jewellery, turbans, and finely decorated horses: these all convey their high social status. The rich visual detail, then, almost serves as a portrait of status, where viewers will identify the significance of the people depicted.
This painting may also be interpreted as a document of courtly life. Bagta takes great care to observe the specifics of the costumes, weapons, horses and gear, gestures, and surrounding landscape. The information is given on material culture and recreational activities of the Rajput aristocracy in the period. The work is therefore neither purely art nor a purely documentary work.
