Mughal Emperor Akbar Observing an Animal Combat c. 1585

Editor: This is "Mughal Emperor Akbar Observing an Animal Combat," attributed to Miskin. What strikes me is the juxtaposition of violence and serenity. The animal fight contrasts sharply with the tranquil figures in the foreground. What do you see here? Curator: Indeed. The combat evokes the raw power associated with kingship, but the ascetics below represent spiritual authority. Notice how both are placed within the natural landscape. What does this say about Akbar's perception of his role, his power? Editor: I guess he saw himself as a ruler connected to both earthly and spiritual realms. Curator: Precisely. The image becomes a symbol of his complex identity. And the artist has constructed an enduring emblem of power in balance. Editor: That makes me look at it in a whole new light. Thanks!