Akbar
Painting
ca. 1590-95 (made)
ca. 1590-95 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This painting by Kesav Kalan and Chetarmuni depicts the emperor Akbar watching an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish from the banks of the river in front of a walled city and is an illustration to the Akbarnama (Book of Akbar).
The Akbarnama was commissioned by the emperor as the official chronicle of his reign. It was written by Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1595 and is thought to have been illustrated between ca.1592 and 1594 by at least forty-nine different artists from Akbar's studio. After Akbar's death in 1605, the manuscript remained in the library of his son, Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) and later that of Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658). The Museum purchased it in 1896 from Frances Clarke, the widow of Major General John Clarke, an official who had been the Commissioner of Oudh, India, between 1858 and 1862.
The Akbarnama was commissioned by the emperor as the official chronicle of his reign. It was written by Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1595 and is thought to have been illustrated between ca.1592 and 1594 by at least forty-nine different artists from Akbar's studio. After Akbar's death in 1605, the manuscript remained in the library of his son, Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) and later that of Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658). The Museum purchased it in 1896 from Frances Clarke, the widow of Major General John Clarke, an official who had been the Commissioner of Oudh, India, between 1858 and 1862.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Akbar (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Painting, Akbarnama, Akbar witnesses an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish, outline by Kesav the Elder, painting by Chatarmuni, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1590-95 |
| Physical description | Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Akbar watching an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish. Shows Akbar on the banks of a river talking to fishermen in front of a walled city. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Akbar watching an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish. Shows Akbar on the banks of a river talking to fishermen in front of a walled city. |
| Styles | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'Tarh Kesav Kalan/amal Chatarmuni' (Contemporary librarian's attribution in Persian written beneath the image at the bottom of the page in red ink.)
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| Credit line | Purchased from Mrs. Clarke, The Dingle, Sydenham Hill, S. E |
| Object history | The Akbarnama was commissioned by the Emperor Akbar as an official chronicle of his reign. It was written by his court historian and biographer Abu'l Fazl around 1590, and illustrated during the same decade by at least forty-nine different artists from Akbar's studio. After Akbar's death, the manuscript remained in the library of his son, Jehangir. The Victoria and Albert Museum purchased it in 1896 from the widow of major General Clarke, an official who served as the Commissioner in Oudh province. Historical significance: It is thought to be the first illustrated copy of the Akbarnama. It drew upon the expertise of some of the best royal painters of the time, many of whom receive special mention by Abu'l Fazl in the A'in-i-Akbari. The inscriptions in red ink on the bottom of the paintings name the artists. |
| Production | Outline painted by Kesav Kalan, details and colours painted by Chatarmuni. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Association | |
| Literary reference | Akbarnama |
| Summary | This painting by Kesav Kalan and Chetarmuni depicts the emperor Akbar watching an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish from the banks of the river in front of a walled city and is an illustration to the Akbarnama (Book of Akbar). The Akbarnama was commissioned by the emperor as the official chronicle of his reign. It was written by Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1595 and is thought to have been illustrated between ca.1592 and 1594 by at least forty-nine different artists from Akbar's studio. After Akbar's death in 1605, the manuscript remained in the library of his son, Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) and later that of Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658). The Museum purchased it in 1896 from Frances Clarke, the widow of Major General John Clarke, an official who had been the Commissioner of Oudh, India, between 1858 and 1862. |
| Other number | 170 - inscription/original number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.2:85-1896 |
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| Record created | November 10, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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