Bagwan Sing, Maharaj Rana of Dholpore, India, from the Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers series (N189) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

This small chromolithograph of Bagwan Sing, Maharaj Rana of Dholpore, India, was issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. Note the symmetry in the figure's pose and the balanced use of color. The bright reds and blues of his adornments sharply contrast with the muted greens and golds of his robe. The composition is vertically oriented, framing Sing's figure tightly, which draws us into his gaze. The formal elements here—color and composition—can be interpreted within a larger cultural context. The vibrant colors and detailed ornamentation may signify Sing's status and power, yet this card was part of a series titled ‘Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers.’ The structural juxtaposition of these visual markers with the derogatory title creates a tension, destabilizing the established Western perceptions of non-Western leaders. Consider the role of the viewer in completing this act of interpretation, as the artwork functions as a cultural signifier.