Art365/354: Horse and Hound

This vibrant painting, full of colours and texture, was made in Golconda, between 1610 and 1620. It was collected in the "Johnson Album" and shows some of the most distinctive features of Deccani painting. The landscape has a life of its own, with stylised river banks, foliage, and rocks that borrow from Iranian painting. In the centre we see two figures, one on a horse, and the other on foot. The prince is hawking, and his handsome hound is at his feet, poised to chase any prey. Attention is paid to garments, details, and the buildings in the background. Of course, the golden sky and the Chinese-inspired clouds are absolutely eye-catching! The atmosphere is dream-like, so different from Mughal painting, and that is the enduring magic of Deccani paintings!

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All about South Asian architecture, art history and literature.