Rudolf Swoboda (1859-1914)
Saiyad Ahmad Hussain Signed and dated 1889
Oil on canvas | 61.3 x 51.1 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 403837
Durbar Corridor, Osborne House
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Saiyad Ahmad Hussain is identified as 'Syed Ahmed Husain, Captain of a Hyderabad Regiment: lately in England for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee' in an illustrated article on 'The Queen's Personal Interest in India', by Ahmad Raffiuddin, The English Illustrated Magazine, 1897/8. It would appear that he was engaged as one of the Queen's Indian attendants on 10 January 1888. He is shown wearing a pale-grey tunic with a gold collar with two small medals on his chest, and a gold and dark-blue striped pagri.
Rudolf Swoboda was born in Vienna in 1859 and studied under his uncle Leopold Carl Müller between 1878 and 1884. Between 1885 and 1892 Swoboda worked for Queen Victoria. On the 7 October 1886 he travelled to India, passing through Afghanistan and Kashmir on route, to undertake a commission from the sovereign. Queen Victoria paid for his passage and gave him £300 to cover his travelling expenses. In return he was to provide the Queen with sketches worth £300. The Queen gave Swoboda specific instructions: 'The Sketches Her Majesty wishes to have – are of the various types of the different nationalities. They should consist of heads of the same size as those already done for The Queen, and also small full lengths, as well as sketches of landscapes, buildings, and other scenes. Her Majesty does not want any large pictures done at first, but thinks that perhaps you could bring away material for making them should they eventually be wished for.' When Sir Howard Elphinstone, a contemporary, saw some of the sketches in 1888 he observed: 'They are very clever indeed, most characteristic of the different types, & drawn with wonderful vigour'. When Queen Victoria received them she was very pleased and thought them 'such lovely heads… beautiful things'.
Like all Royal Collection records, this object is subject to ongoing research. Royal Collection Trust welcomes further information relating to the identity of the person depicted in this portrait.
Signed and dated: Rudolf Swoboda 1889.Provenance
Painted for Queen Victoria.
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Creator(s)
(artists' materials maker) -
Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
61.3 x 51.1 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
68.6 x 58.5 x 3.5 cm (frame, external)