"Courtiers with a Riderless Horse", Folio from a Manuscript of the Akbarnama. Folio from the Davis Album

Abu'l Fazl

ca. 1604 · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

This fine grisaille drawing is probably the right-hand side of a double composition which shows an assembled group of courtly attendants with a caparisoned horse being led towards the left, where, on the adjoining page there would likely have been a ruler – likely emperor Akbar - and noblemen. Several figures hold tall red wrappings for swords while elephants and horses edge the group. Written by the courtier Abu'l Fazl between 1589 and 1598, the Akbarnama chronicles the life of the emperor Akbar. This painting is one of eight folios from the so-called "Chester Beatty Akbarnama" in the Davis album.

Artist

Abu'l Fazl

Date

ca. 1604

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915