Moderne Maharajah

In inter-war Europe, the young Maharajah of Indore Yeshwant Rao Holkar II (1908-1961) completed his studies at the prestigious Christ Church College in Oxford. Conquered by the novelty, he decided to build a private residence in Indore, in view of his return, combining comfort and modernist aesthetics. In 1929, he entrusted the design and layout of this palace to the German architect Eckhart Muthesius. IN FRENCH! Based on archival photographs, this book tells the story of the genesis and implementation of a largely unknown project, which combines in a unique way local tradition and Western modernism and illustrates particularly well the spirit that animates European creation between the two world wars.

Other photographs of the premises and furniture – now scattered in collections around the world – reveal the very colourful atmosphere that prevailed at the Maharajah’s palace. Exhibition at the musée des Arts décoratifs, in Paris, from 25 September 2019 to 12 January 2020.