Single Leaf of an Elephant with Mahout Attacking Four Men

Description This Mughal painting, Walters manuscript leaf W.702, depicts an elephant with a mahout attacking 4 men. Depictions of elephants became increasingly common in the Mughal period. Stylistically this example may be attributed to sometime in the late 10th century AH/AD 16th, although the Persian inscription on the page states that it was completed in Bukhara on the last day of Safar 731 AH/AD 1330. There are a few numbers inscribed on the page: 4500, 9, and 18. The work is framed by marbled paper and a border illuminated with animal and floral motifs. On the back is a sample of calligraphy in Nasta'liq script signed by Mirza Muhammad al-Katib and dated 983 AH/AD 1575-1576.

Exhibitions

• Elephants. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1987-1988.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters