The Emperor Aurangzeb Carried on a Palanquin
Artist: Painting by Bhavanidas (active ca. 1700–1748)
Date: ca. 1705–20
Geography: Made in India
Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions: Height 22 7/8 in. (58.1 cm)   Width 15 1/8 in. (38.4 cm)
Accession Number: 2003.430

The emperor Aurangzeb (r. 1656–1707) and his royal hunting party are shown here in one of the final grand imperial images of the Mughal era. Preparations for the chase are in progress, as evident from the row of hunters in the foreground and others who lead deer as bait or carry leafy screens for camouflage. Bhavanidas, painter of this scene, worked first at the Mughal court and then later moved to the Rajput court of Kishangarh, where he became its preeminent artist.
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York