Maharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female Bears

Maharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female Bears

Pannalai

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting traditions of the princely state of Mewar, in Rajasthan, remained vital even into the early part of the twentieth century. Hunting and palace scenes were still the most popular subject, but artists began to employ more shading and perspective, likely in response to the increasing presence of photography at court. Numerous hunting scenes were painted during the reign of Fateh Singh (1884–1930), often radically unconventional compositions marked by large tracts of harsh landscape. Here the ruler, concealed in a treetop, shoots his rifle downward from point-blank range after having likely lured in the unfortunate bear with scented bait. The bear is depicted five times, creating a compelling narrative of the event. Skeletal trees and deep ravines cast in shadow add a startlingly bleak atmosphere to this shocking image of a kill.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Maharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female BearsMaharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female BearsMaharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female BearsMaharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female BearsMaharaja Fateh Singh Hunting Female Bears

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.