C Raja Raja Varma, the youngest brother of iconic painter Raja Ravi Varma, was himself a reputed artist and English scholar As the assistant and business manager to Raja Ravi Varma, he often painted with the former, while maintaining a comprehensive record of their work and travels

The presented lot is a historically-significant work, and the meticulous detailing in the portrait reflects C Raja Raja Varma’s mastery in portraiture, a craft cultivated under the tutelage of his elder brother The painting not only highlights the artist’s skills but also serves as an acknowledgment of the deep professional and familial bond between the Varma brothers that lasted all his life

C Raja Raja Varma is also known for his expansive diary, an important account of the Varma Brothers’ lives It traces their portraiture business, as well as the genesis and working of the Ravi Varma Fine Arts Lithographic Press The diary offers a rare insight into the artists’ method of working, as well as the luminaries they interacted with regularly

Through much of his life, C Raja Raja Varma worked closely with Ravi Varma, so much so that they were called the Ram and Lakshman of Indian art C Raja Raja Varma passed away in 1905