ticketsMember | Make a donation

A Prince Riding an Elephant in Procession

ca. 1570
Not on view
Filled with life and variety, this fragment from a larger painting on cloth demonstrates the humanism and individuality of each human and animal figure before Mughal painting settled into more formulaic compositions. Its merit lies not just in representation and reportage, but in a joyous and energetic capturing of the scene, right down to the baby elephant. Other superbly painted elephants, including the main pachyderm at center, and animated human figures populate the scene. Although the figure of the main rider is almost entirely flaked, it has been suggested that it could represent Akbar himself, the royal patron of this work.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A Prince Riding an Elephant in Procession
  • Date: ca. 1570
  • Geography: Country of Origin India
  • Medium: Opaque color and gold on cotton cloth
  • Dimensions: Image: Ht. 13 3/8 in. (34 cm)
    W. 15 11/16 in. (39.8 cm)
    Frame: Ht. 21 1/8 in. (53.7 cm)
    W. 18 7/8 in. (47.9 cm)
    D. 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Acquisitions, Harris Brisbane Dick, and 2020 Benefit Funds; Howard S. and Nancy Marks, Lila Acheson Wallace, and Friends of Islamic Art Gifts; Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; and funds from various donors, 2022
  • Object Number: 2022.173
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
"Bazur, the Magician, Raises up Darkness and a Storm", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Bazur, the Magician, Raises up Darkness and a Storm", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
ca. 1430–40
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
probably early 15th century
"Laur and Chanda in the Forest", Folio from a Chandayana (or Laur Chanda), Maulana Da'ud Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Laur and Chanda in the Forest", Folio from a Chandayana (or Laur Chanda)
Maulana Da'ud
ca. 1525–50
"Three Trees of India", Folio from a Baburnama (Autobiography of Babur), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Three Trees of India", Folio from a Baburnama (Autobiography of Babur)
late 16th century
"Kai Kavus Attempts to Fly to Heaven", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Image: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper<br/>Margins: Ink and gold on dyed paper
"Kai Kavus Attempts to Fly to Heaven", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
mid-15th 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 complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.