"Shah Jahan Watching an Elephant Fight", Folio from a Padshahnama 1614 - 1664

"Shah Jahan Watching an Elephant Fight," by Bulaqi, is a painting made with opaque watercolor and gold on paper. The artist used these traditional materials to depict a popular subject in Mughal art. The fineness of the brushwork and the vibrant colors speak to a highly refined process. The painting shows us the wealth of the Mughal empire, as the royal family and courtiers watch this bloody entertainment from the safety of their palace. The labor involved in the production of luxury goods like textiles and jewelry are very much implied, along with the manual labor of the elephant handlers and other workers who make such events possible. The elephants themselves, symbols of power and status, are also reduced to labor in this context. Paintings such as this are reminders that the creation of refined objects and artworks often relies on a system of labor and resources that extends far beyond the artist's studio.