
May one see it?
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
This is a rare example of a Panjabi Company Painting. Company Painting (paintings made by Indian artists for the British) was widespread throughout most parts of the Indian subcontinent in the 18th and, especially, 19th centuries. However, it was much less common in the Panjab, which only came under British sovereignty in 1849.
This painting depicts a tiger-hunt and is precisely dated 'VS 1949' (the equivalent of 1892). A European is leaning from the howdah of his elephant to shoot the tiger. The tiger is springing from long grass and clawing at the elephant's head. The mahout (driver) recoils or is perhaps preparing to strike the tiger with his elephant-goad. A bearded European watches from the howdah of a second elephant.
Victoria and Albert Museum