"Study of a Nilgai (Blue Bull)", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album 1515 - 1645

"Study of a Nilgai (Blue Bull)" is a folio from the Shah Jahan Album, painted by the renowned Mughal artist Mansur in the early 17th century. This exquisite miniature, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcases Mansur's masterful depiction of the Nilgai, an antelope native to India. The painting is framed by a delicate floral border, characteristic of Mughal art. It is a testament to the Mughal emperors' passion for natural history and their patronage of talented artists who documented the wonders of their empire.