341 - An Indian equestrian portrait of an Abyssinian rider, second half of the 18th century, Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh, Raghogarh, shown seated and holding a spear in his right hand, with reins grasped in his left above a tulwar fastened to him, his white stallion's legs and tail dyed with red pigment, opaque pigments on paper (image 25 x 18.5cm; framed and glazed) Provenance: From the collection of David and Sandy Fuller. Footnote: Raghogarh, a small court situated on the Rajasthan/Madhya Pradesh border to the south of Bundi and Kota, maintained active painting ateliers from the late 17th century onwards. Raghogarh painters are renowned for their equestrian portraits, inspired by the rising popularity of the kshatriya caste and the social importance of Rajput nobles; works from this school are typically characterised by the use of flat, monochrome grounds, often applied as a simple colour wash, highlighting the prominence of the principal subject. In the present work, the stiff profile stance of the white stallion is rendered in a stylised manner, and the departure from anatomical accuracy contributes to its charming appeal. The application of red pigment to its tail, belly and legs, as well as the chain mail worn, and the spear and tulwar held by its rider are suggestive of participation in battle.