This is a portrait of Bhimsen Thapa, the first Prime Minister (Mukhtiyar) of Nepal (1806–1837). He was born in 1775. He rose through the Gorkha military ranks and was appointed a Minister (Kaji) by King Rana Bahadur Shah (r. 1777–1799). He administered the regency, along with Queen Tripurasundari (or Lalit Tripura Sundari Devi, 1794-1832), for the young King Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah (see M.91.134 and M.76.129). He served for thirty-one years as the powerful Prime Minister of six different kings, was responsible for many social reforms and modernizations, opposed British colonial imperialism, and is regarded as a national hero of Nepal.
Bhimsen Thapa is portrayed with individualistic features and wears a distinctive gold-and-red narrow-brimmed cap, embroidered Chinese robe or military uniform, black striped pants, and embroidered shoes. He has a sword suspended on a sword belt and holds the hilt of a dagger in his right hand. The setting within an upholstered chair, desk, and flower vase is adapted from European studio portraiture of the period.
Comparable portraits of Bhimsen Thapa are in the National Museum of Nepal, Kathmandu. A gilt copper alloy inlaid with gemstones crown of this Nepalese form is in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (91.536).
