A Prince and his Retinue Hunting Waterfowl (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
With the Mughals’ ebbing power, imperial-sponsored painting at Delhi declined during the second half of the 18th century. The courts of virtually independent regional rulers consequently rose to become important centers for art production. The composition and cool, subdued palette of this painting suggest that it was created at the Bengali capital Murshidabad. It shows a prince on horseback, with a falcon perched on his gloved right hand. Four huntsmen on foot accompany him, two of whom hold falcons at the ready. The other two have just released birds that ferociously attack waterfowl at the right. Stirred by the noise, other birds rise up from a silvery pond and fly toward distant hills, where the royal retinue waits.
Gift of Amy and Cameron Middleton in memory of Perkins Wilson
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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