Salim spearing a lioness
1600
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1600
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a man on foot holding a round shield, facing a lioness that’s attacking an elephant. The man wears a yellow cloth wrapped around his waist and a necklace, while the elephant has a bright yellow blanket with blue stars. A rider on the elephant holds a stick, and another person leans over the elephant’s head. The background is a flat, desert-like landscape with hills and a few plants. The man’s pose looks like he’s about to stab the lioness with a spear. The colors are bold—yellows, blues, and earthy tones—and the animals are detailed but slightly stiff. Look up Baroque to see how this style’s drama fits into bigger art trends.
