Antelope and deer huntc. 1602–4 · Study 1939.66

Context from the museum

The Mughals used trained cheetahs, such as this one wearing a red collar, to capture prey during hunting expeditions in the wilderness. The metaphor of the hunt was also a potent image in Persian literature, in which the protagonist finally achieves a desired goal. The central image of the cheetah catching the black buck—a frequently repeated visual trope—resonates with the desire of Prince Salim (who was passionate about hunting) to capture the throne of the Mughal Empire from Akbar, his father. Between 1600 and 1605, when Prince Salim set up his own royal court in defiance of his father, he convinced some imperial artists to join him. The young Govardhan, a Hindu who would go on to achieve high stature in the atelier of the next two emperors, was one of them.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

The gray antelope in the foreground is called a nilgai and is the largest antelope in Asia.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Antelope and deer hunt is 11.8 cm wide and 20 cm high, equivalent to approximately 4.6 × 7.9 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.59:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.02 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 3.9% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 144.1 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Antelope and deer hunt in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera and gold on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 11.8 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?