Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Prince Riding an Elephant

Painting by Khem Karan
16th–17th century
Not on view
Elephants were highly prized at Indian courts, greatly appreciated as gifts, and eagerly sought as booty in military campaigns. Paintings of several admired elephants were made at the Mughal court, much as portraits were made of courtiers and nobles. Khem Karan, whose signature appears at the bottom of the picture, was a well-known painter in Akbar’s atelier.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Prince Riding an Elephant
  • Artist: Painting by Khem Karan
  • Date: 16th–17th century
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Page: H. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm)
    W. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm)
    Painting: H. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
    W. 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm)
    Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
    W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.68.4
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Painting attributed to Miskin
1597–98
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Govardhan
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Chitarman Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painted by Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50
"Rosette Bearing the Names and Titles of Shah Jahan", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Rosette Bearing the Names and Titles of Shah Jahan", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
recto: ca. 1645; verso: ca. 1630–40
Pierced Window Screen (Jali), Red sandstone; pierced, carved
Pierced Window Screen (Jali)
second half 16th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.