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"Study of a Nilgai (Blue Bull)", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album

Painting by Mansur
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1620; recto ca. 1540
Not on view
The nilgai, though known as a blue bull, is a type of antelope found in central and northern India and eastern Pakistan. This study was painted by Mansur, probably after observing the animal in Jahangir’s (r. 1605–27) zoological garden. While great detail is lavished on the depiction of the animal, down to the distinctive swirl of hair where his neck meets his body, the background makes no reference to the nilgai’s natural habitat. As in portraits of people, a neutral or harmonious setting prevailed in Mughal animal paintings.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Study of a Nilgai (Blue Bull)", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
  • Artist: Painting by Mansur (active ca. 1589–1626)
  • Calligrapher: Mir 'Ali Haravi (died ca. 1550)
  • Date: verso: ca. 1620; recto ca. 1540
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 15 5/16 in. (38.9 cm)
    W. 10 1/16 in. (25.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and The Kevorkian Foundation Gift, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.121.10.13
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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"Great Hornbill", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Mansur, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Great Hornbill", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Mansur
Mir 'Ali Haravi
recto: ca. 1540; verso: ca. 1615–20
"Diving Dipper and Other Birds", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Mansur, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Diving Dipper and Other Birds", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Mansur
recto: ca. 1610–15; verso: ca. 1535–45
"Red-Headed Vulture and Long-Billed Vulture", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Mansur, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Red-Headed Vulture and Long-Billed Vulture", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Mansur
Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1615–20; recto: ca. 1535–45
Chameleon, Mansur, Opaque watercolor and ink on paper, India (Mughal court at Lahore or Allahabad)
Returned to lender
Chameleon
Mansur
ca. 1595–1600
Peafowl, Mansur, Opaque watercolor on paper, India (Mughal court at Agra)
Returned to lender
Peafowl
Mansur
ca. 1610

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