Drawing of an Elephantc. 1700 · Study 1969.65

Context from the museum

Beginning with Babur, but especially with Akbar, the Mughal emperors displayed an enormous interest in and affection for the elephants of India. The palace housed many elephants, used by the royal court for practical tasks such as carrying heavy loads through rivers and over difficult ground, for charging into battle, and, sometimes, for executing captives. They were also used for entertainment purposes such as riding, ceremonial processions, hunting, and fighting. Royal elephants were cared for by trained staff and kept on a special diet. Their tusks, necks, and ankles were often decorated with golden chains and hoops encrusted with jewels and pearls.

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

A detail to notice

Domesticated elephants had their tusks trimmed and decorated with gold rings.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Drawing of an Elephant is 18.1 cm wide and 12.8 cm high, equivalent to approximately 7.1 × 5.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.41:1. 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 6.0% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 140.9 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 Drawing of an Elephant in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, ink on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 18.1 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?