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.