Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts

Sir Bhupindra Singh, Maharaja of Patiala

© National Portrait Gallery, London

StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-A Canadian exclusive, Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts will be on view from November 20, 2010 to April 3, 2011 . at Art Gallery of Ontario. Organized in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, this is the first exhibition to comprehensively explore the opulent world of the maharajas and their unique culture of artistic patronage. Over 200 dazzling objects are featured, including paintings of spectacular royal processions, ceremonial weapons, elaborate jewellery and prized photographs by artists such as Man Ray and Cecil Beaton.  Art Gallery of Ontario is thrilled to announce that admission  is free to visitors 25 years of age and under. 



Patiala Necklace, 1928

Nick Welsh, Cartier Collection

© Cartier



Spanning the last 300 years of India’s culture - from the beginning of the 18th century, to the end of British rule in 1947, and concluding with a look at the legacy of the Maharajas today - the exhibition examines the social and historical role of these kings and their courts, bringing to light the ancient royal traditions that have permeated the lives of descendants worldwide.

  The four galleries of the AGO・s Sam and Ayala Zacks Pavilion will be devoted to the exhibition, with works on loan from the Victoria & Albert Museum, Qatar Museums Authority, British Museum, National Gallery of Canada, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Asian Art Museum, Cartier, the National Portrait Gallery, and various private lenders.

Among the 200 objects on view are some of India・s greatest treasures, including the magnificent Patiala Necklace, part of the largest single commission that the French house of Cartier has ever executed. Completed in 1928 and restored in 2002, this piece of ceremonial jewellery originally contained 2,930 diamonds and weighs almost one thousand carats.
Other key works in the show include the famed throne once belonging to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a life-sized model elephant adorned with textiles and trappings and accompanied by a silver howdah from the early 19



Jawan Singh of Mewar Hunting Boar, 1835

(c) V&A Images



Many of the arts of India exist today as a result of the patronage of the Maharajas,‖says Dr. Stephen Inglis, adjunct curator of the exhibition and curator emeritus from the Canadian Museum of Civilization. ―Their support of artists resulted in splendid and beautiful objects symbolic of royal status, power and identity, as well as the survival of many forms of dance and music. Because of their support, th ese traditions lived on, and now allow us the opportunity to stage such an amazing display of art and artifacts.‖th century, to the end of British rule in 1947, and concluding with a look at the legacy of the Maharajas today - the exhibition examines the social and historical role of these kings and their courts, bringing to light the ancient royal traditions that have permeated the lives of descendants worldwide. th century, a carriage entirely made of silver commissioned by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, paintings of spectacular royal processions, royal costumes and traditional dress worn by great kings and queens, ceremonial weapons including daggers, swords and matchlock guns, and prized photographs by artists including Man Ray and Cecil Beaton.