Elephants in Combat

early 19th century

Not on view

This preparatory drawing reveals the process of experimentation undertaken by an artist struggling with capturing the action of fighting elephants. Here, reworkings in charcoal are preserved, unlike in finished ink drawings, where the preparatory charcoal is subsequently erased. Variations of this combat scene are known from many paintings.

Artwork Details

Title: Elephants in Combat
Date: early 19th century
Culture: India (Rajasthan, Kotah)
Medium: Charcoal on paper
Dimensions: Image (sight): 10 3/4 x 23 1/4 in. (27.3 x 59.1 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Subhash Kapoor, in memory of his parents, Smt Shashi Kanta and Shree Parshotam Ram Kapoor, 2008
Object Number: 2008.359.15
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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