Royal Indian Portraits, 1840-1932.

Pramod Kumar’s new book Posing for Posterity: Royal Indian Portraits explores how the arrival of photography in India sparked an interesting connection between the country’s traditional miniature artworks and portrait photography. The novelty of this new medium soon attracted many court painters and patrons who themselves turned photographers, including the Maharajas of Jaipur, Tripura and Chamba. These early photographs captured Indian rulers and their families in a variety of poses, reflecting the formality and strictures of court life., and depicting a latent youthful ennui.

Below, depicting a latent youthful ennui, is a selection of child portraits taken from the book. Click a thumbnail to begin the slideshow.