Cleveland Museum of Art

A Mounted Prince Hunting Lion in a Rocky Landscape

Khem Karan

Date

c. 1600

Medium

Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Culture

Mughal India

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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

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