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Buffaloes in Combat

Attributed to Miskin
late 16th century
Not on view
Animal combats were a favorite form of entertainment at the Mughal court, viewed by the emperor, his courtiers, and guests from a terrace or rampart. Miskin, Akbar's best animal painter, may well have sketched this scene from life. While he has captured the excitement of the fiercely partisan royal servants on the ground, they look unsubstantial compared to the thrusting power of the buffaloes' bodies. The rounded haunch, the long straight line of the back, the bulging muscles of shoulder and neck of the animal on the left all point to inexorable victory, already sensed by the other, pushed off balance, with a foreleg curling under him. Only a great artist could give the struggle such a palpable presence.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Buffaloes in Combat
  • Artist: Attributed to Miskin (active ca. 1570–1604)
  • Date: late 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
    W. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
    Frame: H.. 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm)
    W. 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1983
  • Object Number: 1983.258
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
Hasht Bihisht from Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Miskin, Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
Hasht Bihisht from Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Miskin
1597–98
"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
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Painting attributed to Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
"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
Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; leather binding
Qur'an Manuscript
dated 1268 AH/1851–52 CE

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