Artwork Page for Hunting with falcons in a landscape (recto)

Details / Information for Hunting with falcons in a landscape (recto)

Hunting with falcons in a landscape (recto)

c. 1558–60; borders added probably 1700s

attributed to Abd al-Samad

(Persian, c. 1510–1600)
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Culture
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Page: 35.7 x 24.3 cm (14 1/16 x 9 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.292.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The hunter’s glove is on the ground, as he pulls his falcon off the duck.

Description

Mughal princes hunted on horseback with falcons. The hunting party would ride out into the wild and flush the prey from the brush. Then, its hood removed, the falcon would chase the prey and bring it down.

This important work is thought to have been painted by one of the Persian artists Akbar’s father brought to India from Iran shortly after his arrival in India. The delicacy of the diminutive figures and the gently modeled rocks of the arid landscape contrast to the boldly dynamic paintings made by Indian artists.
A vertically oriented tempera painting depicts people with light skin tones out hunting in orange, green, and blue clothing against blotchy, black-inked rock outcroppings. In the upper center, two people ride on horseback from our left, a falcon flapping its wings on the first rider's outstretched hand while two more people run before them. Lower, three others with horses, two mounted, one holding the reins, surround a person kneeling on the ground, pulling two birds apart.

Hunting with falcons in a landscape (recto)

c. 1558–60; borders added probably 1700s

Abd al-Samad

(Persian, c. 1510–1600)
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

See Also

  • Collection
    Indian
  • Department
    Indian and Southeast Asian Art
  • Type of artwork
    Painting
  • Medium
    Tempera
  • Credit line
    Gift In Honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by Exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection

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