JAYACHAMARAJENDRA ART GALLERY

The Jaganmohan Palace, built in 1861 during the reign of Krishnaraja Woodeyar III, was once the residence of the Woodeyars. It is one of the seven palaces of the city. It was transformed into an art gallery in 1915. It displays the ancient private collection of the Woodeyar dynasty who ruled Mysore from 1399. The first floor displays furniture and objects that belonged to the royal family, as well as large portraits of the maharajas.

The second floor houses an important collection of paintings, including many works by Rembrandt. One can also admire paintings by Pierre-Paul Rubens or Titian. The gallery gathers paintings enhanced with gold leaf from the Mysore, Bengal and European schools. A wing is also dedicated to Indian artists.

On the second floor, musical instruments that belonged to the maharajas are displayed. On the third floor, the walls are decorated with frescos, some of which are of great interest. They date from the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1794-1868). One of the first pictorial representations of the processions of the Dussehra festival in Mysore can be seen. The ruler is paraded in a chariot pulled by elephants. The adjacent wall shows board games, some of which were invented by the maharaja himself. The players are placed in such a way that their thoughts rise directly to the sky. The auditorium hosts traditional dance and music performances.