Artwork Page for Two Elephants in Combat

Details / Information for Two Elephants in Combat

Two Elephants in Combat

1700–1730

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Kota

Medium
ink on paper
Measurements
Page: 35.6 x 53.4 cm (14 x 21 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.178
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The elephants have been shackled at their back feet to keep them from running free.

Description

Elephants were prized possessions for the Rajput Maharajas of Rajasthan. Not only were elephants a decisive factor in the battlefield, but also represented the owner’s material wealth. Elephant fights were a favorite amusement of the Maharaja, and certain elephants were trained specially for this purpose. The drawing depicts two elephants in combat with each other with their trunks intertwined.
A horizontally oriented black ink drawing on cream paper depicts two elephants rearing on their hind legs to face one another. Their trunks intertwine as their tusks cross. Each elephant wears a collar and saddle pad, with thick chains encircling their ankles. Fine black lines define their forms, while dark gray shading accents their heads and underbellies. On our left, long chains extend from the feet toward the bottom corner.

Two Elephants in Combat

1700–1730

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Kota

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