Padmanabh ‘Pacho’ Singh, often called ‘Royal Monarch of Jaipur’ is a star polo player, who leads a glamorous international life. He studied the history of art in Rome, enjoys designer clothes, friends with Princes William and Harry join them in matches at Guards Polo Club.
Dhruv Raj Singh, Pacho’s friend and mentor, interested in contemporary art, is the son of Colonel Bhawani Singh, former Commandant of the 61st Cavalry, coach to the Indian World Cup polo team.
He writes: ‘My family has an equine tradition, and I have been following close to 100 artists globally since 2019/2020.
‘Looking at their quality of work, their audience, value and potential future value, Madeleine Bunbury topped every metric over this period of research. A dear friend even called her ‘’a modern-day George Stubbs’ Madeleine won approval as someone who would ‘fit the culture and environment of Jaipur’
It was decided to invite her to come to Jaipur for a few commissions. She would stay in City Palace's private polo yard. Four portraits were completed to include Music, one of the Maharajah’s ‘best-performing ponies’ a bay with one sock on a hind leg.
Her visit was planned to coincide with the Spring Festival of Holi, on March 18rh this year.
Madeleine describes her experience in the word document attached. She had to combine intense concentration on painting, with all-night parties, decorated with thousands of marigold petals, and join the fun with tireless Indian and European guests.
Dhruv’s own account of the selection process is available if you are interested.
Madeleine St Pierre Bunbury, born in Mustique, in 1997, classical Old Master training at Charles Cecil School In Florence, is now travelling the world to paint equestrian portraits of 80 different breeds.
