Artwork
The game of wolf-running in Tabriz, from an Akbar-nama (Book of Akbar)
The game of wolf-running in Tabriz, from an Akbar-nama (Book of Akbar) is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Banavari 1. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a game of wolf-running in Tabriz, a city in northwestern Iran, as described in the Akbar-nama, a historical chronicle of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows horsemen chasing a wolf through a crowded walled city, with onlookers watching from rooftops and balconies. The event was reportedly hosted by the shah of Iran for the visiting Mughal emperor Humayun, who had fled to Tabriz in exile.
Technique & Style
The artist, working in India, used vivid colors and flat, two-dimensional forms to recreate the scene from eyewitness accounts. The figures are given lively expressions and gestures, conveying the chaos and energy of the event.
History & Provenance
The painting was created during Akbar's reign, when historical subjects became a dominant theme in Mughal art. It illustrates an event from the life of Humayun, Akbar's father, who sought refuge in Tabriz in the 16th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
This hand scroll shows Mughal emperors at play in the 1500s. Banavari painted scenes from royal life in Tabriz—here, wolves are released for the prince to chase, and a fortune-teller warns of a danger the heir will…
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