A photographic montage introduces the desert landscape of Marwar-Jodhpur, its diverse peoples, and the exhibition’s central patrons: the Rathore clan that ruled the region from the 13th to the mid-20th century. They trace their descent from the sun god, Surya, and consider the Hindu god Rama to be one of their ancestors. This divine genealogy has been recited by bards for centuries and, for centuries, and, for that long, Rathore kings have encouraged both the production of large public art forms and the intimate art of paintings. A giltwood and glass mahadol (palanquin) underlines the Rathores’ emphasis on dignified processions for kings and queens, and a large cradle for the Hindu deity Krishna demonstrates their spiritual leadership.