A Mounted Prince Hunting Lion in a Rocky Landscape

c. 1600
Location: not on view

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

Neighing, the horse lunges forward and stares into the dying lion’s eyes.

Description

A Mughal prince encounters a lion in the wilderness and, maintaining his composure, dispatches it with a single blow of his sword. Equally fearless, his horse lunges toward the wild animal, one foreleg turning in to counter the force of the blow. This image recalls the feats of a Persian epic hero. This drawing may have been a study for a full-color composition. The areas of white around the key figures indicate that the artist was working out the ideal positioning of features and elements. The prince is calm and confident, in contrast to the anxious expression on the face of his attendant. The lion hunt is an ancient kingship display of courage and power, especially in Iran and the Near East-areas to which the Mughals trace their cultural roots. As though by contrast in the background, a shepherd tends sheep in the peace and safety assured by the brave prince.
A Mounted Prince Hunting Lion in a Rocky Landscape

A Mounted Prince Hunting Lion in a Rocky Landscape

c. 1600

Khem Karan

(Indian)
Mughal India

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.