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Painting - Akbar witnesses an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish
  • Akbar witnesses an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish
    Kesav Kalan
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Akbar witnesses an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish

  • Object:

    Painting

  • Place of origin:

    India (possibly, made)
    Pakistan (possibly, made)

  • Date:

    1590-1595 (painted)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Kesav Kalan (artist)
    Chatarmuni (artist)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Opaque watercolour and gold on paper

  • Museum number:

    IS.2:85-1896

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

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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.

Physical description

Depicts 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.

Place of Origin

India (possibly, made)
Pakistan (possibly, made)

Date

1590-1595 (painted)

Artist/maker

Kesav Kalan (artist)
Chatarmuni (artist)

Materials and Techniques

Opaque watercolour and gold on paper

Marks and inscriptions

Tarh Kesav Kalan
amal Chatarmuni composition by Kesav Kalan
work [= painting] by Chatarmuni

Dimensions

Height: 33 cm average, Width: 19.5 cm average

Object history note

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.

Descriptive line

Akbar witnesses an extraordinary display of skill in catching fish. Painting from the Akbarnama, 1590-1595.

Associated names

Fazl, Abu'l

Production Note

Outline painted by Kesav Kalan, details and colours painted by Chatarmuni.

Materials

Paper; Gold

Techniques

Painted; Contour drawing

Subjects depicted

Fish; Akbar

Categories

Paintings

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O9593
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