Bishan Singh

Bishan Singh (1836 – ca.1900 ), also known as Baba Bishan Singh, was a Sikh painter whom achieved high-acclaim during his life. Much of his surviving works depicts scenes from the Sikh Empire and prominent figures of the era. His paintings have sold for large sums at auction.

Biography

Bishan Singh was born in 1836 into a Ramgarhia family of artists that flourished in the 19th century who operated in Lahore and Amritsar. He had a brother, whom also was an artist, named Kishan Singh. It is likely Bishan Singh learnt his trade through this traditional, familial upbringing amongst artists. Many of Bishan Singh's paintings feature scenery and personalities from the period of the Sikh Empire, such as Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Bishan Singh also was the art teacher of his two sons.

Style Bishan Singh's style included vivid greens, yellows, and blues. Meticulous detail was placed upon the depicted scene, especially regarding figures, botany, and architecture. He often depicted tradespeople living their daily lives. However, his self-portrait differs in-style greatly from his durbar painting, with his self-portrait showing strong European and Western influence, where he uses the standard codes of European portraiture.

Much of the surviving works of Bishan Singh are in private collections, such as the Toor and Kapany collections.

Exhibitions

Punjab Exhibition of Arts and Industry (London; 1864)

Gallery