- 3
An elephant with rider, possibly the Emperor Akbar, Mughal, circa 1595-1610
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- gouache on paper
- 19 by 13cm.
gouache with gold on paper
Condition
Mounted within plain borders, the central image with some horizontal crease lines and associated flaking, the face of the rider with some flaking and associated retouching, including overpainting, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The rider of the elephant in this lively scene bears a resemblance to the young Akbar, whose love of elephants is well attested in the Akbarnama. The elephant here seems to have escaped its tether, which drags behind it across the grassy hillside. The implied wild careering of the elephant serves to heighten the imagined bravery of the rider. An
episode recounted in the Jahangirnama tells of just such a daring elephant ride by Akbar:
"I used to hear His Majesty Arsh-Ashyani tell the following story. "One day in the full bloom of youth, having drunk two or three bowls of wine, I got on a must elephant. Although I was sober and the elephant was very easy to handle and responded well to my will, I pretended that I was dead drunk and that the elephant was uncontrollable and drove it towards the people... ."
(Jahangirnama, tr. Thackston, p.278-9).
episode recounted in the Jahangirnama tells of just such a daring elephant ride by Akbar:
"I used to hear His Majesty Arsh-Ashyani tell the following story. "One day in the full bloom of youth, having drunk two or three bowls of wine, I got on a must elephant. Although I was sober and the elephant was very easy to handle and responded well to my will, I pretended that I was dead drunk and that the elephant was uncontrollable and drove it towards the people... ."
(Jahangirnama, tr. Thackston, p.278-9).
The style of the present work dates it to approximately 1595 to 1610, and there are certain characteristics that are close to the style of the Yog Vashisht of 1602 and the Raj Kunwar of 1604-5, both made for Prince Salim at Allahabad (Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Ms.5 and Ms.37, see Leach 1995, vol.I, pp.155-232, particularly pp.156, 164, 191, 211), although it is unlikely that Prince Salim would have commissioned such a painting of his father while in rebellion against him.