Portrait of Madu Ramjee

Good overall condition. The canvas has been laid on board. Faint creases are visible in some areas of the background, particularly in a horizontal line at the upper left beneath the edge of the frame, and at the lower left in a diagonal line and in a vertical line at the edge. There are absolutely no restorations to any area of the painting.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Born in Capri in 1839, Horace van Ruith built his career as a professional painter who specialized in portraiture, landscapes and genre scenes in oil and watercolour. He visited Bombay sometime between 1879 and 1884 and is known to have established a studio in the city. He painted a number of portraits of local people, especially those engaged in various trades: coolies at work, cotton cleaners, cord makers and street  musicians. He often identified his Indian sitters by naming them on the painting as in the present lot.

Van Ruith participated in the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886, held in London, where he exhibited a number of these paintings. Queen Victoria's son, the Duke of Connaught, commented of his work, "no man understands the peculiar characteristics of Indian life better than he does and he is a very clever artist." This is evidenced in the present portrait which skilfully captures the innocence of the young sitter.

Van Ruith visited India again, probably around 1900, and worked in Baroda at the invitation of His Highness the Gaekwad of Baroda, joining the ranks of other British born artists such as Tilly Kettle, James Wells, Thomas Hickey and Robert Home, who were also working on commissions from various Royal courts in India. Despite his long life and obviously considerable output, van Ruith's pictures are rare today.

For a complete biography of the artist and his career, see From Bombay to Mumbai, Marg Publications, 1997.