Akbar Hunting with Cheetahs
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Watercolor |
| Current Location: | Victoria and Albert Museum |
| Location History: | The Akbarnama, or "Book of Akbar", was commissioned by the emperor Akbar as the official chronicle of his reign. It was written by 1590 and 1596 and is thought to have been illustrated between ca. 1592 and 1594 by at least forty-nine different artists from Akbar's studio. After Akbar's death in 1605, the manuscript remained in the library of his son, Jahangir (r.1605-1627) and later Shah Jahan (r.1628-1658). The Victoria and Albert Museum purchased it in 1896 from Mrs. Frances Clarke, the widow of Major General John Clarke, an official who had been the Commissioner in Oudh province between 1858 and 1862. Historical significance: It is thought to be the first illustrated copy of the Akbarnama. It drew upon the expertise of some of the best royal painters of the time, many of whom receive special mention by Abu'l Fazl in the A'in-i-Akbari, the third volume of the Akbarnama. The inscriptions in red ink on the bottom of the paintings refer to the artists and indicate that this was a royal copy. Purchased from Mrs. Clarke, The Dingle, Sydenham Hill, S. E. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. |
The Painting Akbar Hunting with Cheetahs is just one more anecdote of Akbarnama in form of visual art by the artists Dharamdas and Basawan. This painting is quite self explanatory as it depicts Akbar on back of his horse chasing a Cheetah while his members went about to capture other animals with cages. This pieces documents figurative form of human and animals with the backdrop being a chaotic blend of colors acting as a metaphor to all the hassles of hunting. The opus captures few hills and trees to give the proper jungle fact, all in all its the story of Akbar's Hunting spree on the outskirts of Agra on a good day. The colour palette is also very vibrant yet consists of earthic mauve to keep in touch with the realistic environment. The method that has been adapted is the classic miniature painting style of the imperial period and hence holds a depth of cultural reverence in the painting.
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