Pleasures of the Hunt
This hunt takes place in a tented enclosure, or qamargha. A prince and princess on horseback, each holding a hunting hawk, observe deer being shot by a princess in the distance. This same huntress reappears twice in the foreground, outside the red cloth enclosure: at left, shooting at a deer, and at right, making love with a courtier who demonstrates his prowess by simultaneously aiming an arrow at an approaching tiger. The horses belonging to the amorous couple wait patiently nearby; one has his face covered to prevent him being startled, a device that is likely also a witty allusion to the lovers’ brazen display. The Kangra court style is distinguished by its refined use of softly modulated pastel colors and handsome figure types.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pleasures of the Hunt
- Date: ca. 1800
- Culture: North India, Punjab Hills, Kangra
- Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 9 7/8 x 14 1/8 in. (25.1 x 35.8 cm)
Framed: 16 5/16 x 21 3/8 in. (41.4 x 54.3 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon B. Polsky Fund, 2002
- Object Number: 2002.37
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Northern India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh
ca. 1740
Manaku
ca. 1725
Nainsukh
ca. 1760–65
India (Himachal Pradesh, probably Chamba Valley)
12th century
India (Himachal Pradesh)
10th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.