Squirrels in a Plane Tree, with a hunter attempting to climb the tree..
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Gouache |
| Current Location: | India Office Library and Records, British Library, London, Johnson Album 1, no. 30. |
| Location History: | 1605-1608: Mughal India 1807- Purchased by Richard Johnson Collection Present- India Office Library, British Library, London |
Abu’l Hasan’s Squirrels in a Plane Tree (c. 1605–08) is a remarkable example of the naturalistic and imaginative tendencies of Jahangir-period Mughal painting. The monumental plane tree dominates the composition, its pale trunk and dense autumn foliage providing a richly patterned habitat for numerous squirrels and birds. The animals are rendered with careful observation, varied poses and lively movement, transforming the tree into a world of constant activity. A small human figure climbing the trunk introduces an intriguing contrast between human presence and the autonomous life of nature. The use of gold ground, delicate foliage and finely detailed animals demonstrates the refinement of the imperial atelier. At the same time, the unusual composition and emphasis on individual creatures move beyond conventional botanical illustration. The painting reflects Jahangir’s celebrated fascination with the natural world, while its ambiguous human figure invites broader interpretations of humanity’s relationship with nature. It is therefore both a study of natural life and a sophisticated meditation on observation, curiosity and coexistence.