India – botanical watercolour painting (beaumontia grandiflora) by Maharajah of Patiala's court artist Ganga Singh signed dated 1943. Ganga Singh began his career as an artist at the Forest Research Institute in Dehra Dun, travelling to England in 1931 to train at the Slade in London. Later in life he was awarded the title of 'Rai Sahib' for his outstanding contributions in the field of fine arts. Ganga Singh was engaged by the Maharajah Yadhavindra Singh of Patiala, India 1942 to reproduce his collected flora in watercolour drawings. He became a permanent member of His Highness' staff and painted over 400 watercolours over a period of twenty years. Singh died in 1970. The studies were commissioned by His Highness Maharajah Yadhavindra Singh of Patiala, also a keen botanist, who from the 1920s began to collect the flora of the Simla Hills with the intention of writing a book on the subject. Signed and Dated. Provenance Ex Arthur Ackermann Sons. Fine Art Dealers London, bears label verso, signed dated 1943. Framed, dimensions 46 cm x 35 cm