Nobleman Hunting a Tiger

Nobleman Hunting a Tiger

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In this lively ink drawing, we see a Rajput nobleman hunting a tiger on horseback. He turns to deliver a mortal bow with his long-bladed sword, a posture that conveniently affords a full-profile portrait of him. The noble tiger was seen as an appropriate match for the skills of the Rajput aristocrat. Both are celebrated in this drawing, which is likely a finished work, not a study for a painting.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

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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.