"Akbar Hunting with Cheetahs", Folio from a Manuscript of the Akbarnama. Folio from the Davis Album

Author Abu'l Fazl Indian
 Painting attributed to Manohar

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 463

Written by the courtier Abu'l Fazl between 1589 and 1598, the Akbarnama chronicles the life of the emperor Akbar, including details on affairs ranging from the issuing of edicts to His Majesty’s daily diet. The project of creating illustrated copies of the text commenced before Abu'l Fazl had finished writing, as Akbar himself selected episodes for his artists to depict. This painting shows the emperor hunting a cheetah, whose capture, Abu'l Fazl noted, required special skill. This painting is one of eight folios from the so-called "Chester Beatty Akbarnama" in the Davis album.

"Akbar Hunting with Cheetahs", Folio from a Manuscript of the Akbarnama. Folio from the Davis Album, Abu'l Fazl (Indian, Agra 1556–1602 Deccan Plateau), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

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