Artwork

Akbar supervising the capture of wild elephants at Malwa in 1564, painting 90 from an Akbar-nama (Book of Akbar) of Abu’l Fazl (Indian 1551–1602)

Akbar supervising the capture of wild elephants at Malwa in 1564, painting 90 from an Akbar-nama (Book of Akbar) of Abu’l Fazl (Indian 1551–1602) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1602 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work illustrates a royal hunting expedition in which Emperor Akbar oversees the rounding up of wild elephants in the Malwa region, dated to 1564. Executed as a miniature for the Akbar‑nama, the manuscript chronicling the emperor’s reign, the scene combines courtly observation with a vivid portrayal of the natural landscape and the logistical effort of the capture.

Subject & Meaning

The composition foregrounds a group of riders and foot soldiers encircling several elephants, some poised, others in motion, suggesting the controlled yet dynamic nature of the enterprise. By placing Akbar as a supervisory figure, the image underscores the monarch’s authority over both the natural world and the administrative apparatus required for such large‑scale endeavors.

Technique & Style

Rendered in the Indian miniature tradition, the painting employs fine brushwork, saturated pigments, and intricate detailing of costume, foliage, and animal anatomy. Gold leaf accents highlight the regal presence of the emperor and add a luminous quality, while the compact format and flattened perspective reflect the manuscript’s decorative function.

History & Provenance

Created for Abu’l‑Fazl’s Akbar‑nama, the illustrated chronicle commissioned by the Mughal court, the piece remains attributed to an anonymous workshop artist. The manuscript circulated among imperial libraries, and the miniature survives as part of a larger folio collection documenting Akbar’s campaigns and courtly life.

Artist & collection

Museum

Cleveland Museum of Art

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