Three Noblemen in Procession on an Elephant

A gaudily painted elephant carries an important nobleman and his attendants who are seated under a howdah. Around them march armies of Indian soldiers, wearing turbans and carrying swords, spears and standards ahead, while the rear is held up by another squad dressed in British army uniform. The identity of the nobleman is unknown as the identifying inscription on the domed canopy has flaked off. However, we can attribute the painting to Venkatchellam, a leading artist based at the Hyderabad court of Nizam 'Ali Khan in the eighteenth century. A confident colorist, he relieves the formality by introducing lively villagers below who celebrate the parade.

Credit: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts and Shamina Talyarkhan Gift, 2008