The presentation of a cheetah (folio from an Akbarnama)

Mughal India, around 1595
Watercolour and gold on paper
Inscribed in the lower margin: “Work by Nandi”

This painting illustrates the cosmopolitan character of the Mughal court. The costumes show that the figures are from different parts of the Indian Subcontinent as well as from Europe. The figures wearing tall hats seem to be from the Deccan, while the man with a striped yellow and red jacket is Portuguese.

The cheetah, like most of those present, seems to be staring at the emperor, who would have been portrayed on the facing page. These highly trained animals were used by the Mughal court, Akbar included, on lengthy hunting expeditions.

The Akbarnama, or History of Akbar, is a three-volume text written by Abu’l Fazl, the emperor’s friend and chronicler.