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"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
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 463
This posthumous portrait of Akbar incorporates the Elizabethan-derived motif of a lion and calf living in peace under the emperor’s benign rule. Govardhan, a master of psychological portraiture, has given the calf an air of meek nervousness, as expressed in its sideways glance and lowered ears, due no doubt to the proximity of the lion’s visible teeth. Cherubs above and a Netherlandish background add cosmopolitan touches in vogue at the time.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
  • Artist: Painting by Govardhan (active ca. 1596–1645)
  • Calligrapher: Mir 'Ali Haravi (died ca. 1550)
  • Date: verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 15 5/16 in. (38.9 cm)
    W. 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and The Kevorkian Foundation Gift, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.121.10.22
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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"Dervish Leading a Bear", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Dervish Leading a Bear", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Govardhan
recto: early 19th century; verso: later copy of 16th century original
"Shah Shuja with a Beloved", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Shah Shuja with a Beloved", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Govardhan
verso: ca. 1632; recto: ca. 1530–50
"Portrait of Rup Singh", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Portrait of Rup Singh", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Govardhan
Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi
verso: ca. 1615–20; recto: ca. 1500
"Dervish Leading a Bear", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Dervish Leading a Bear", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Govardhan
Mir 'Ali Haravi
recto: ca. 1630–40; verso: ca. 1530–40
Astrologer and Holy Men; Folio from the Late Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Returned to lender
Astrologer and Holy Men; Folio from the Late Shah Jahan Album
Govardhan
ca. 1630

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