The lynx considers brutality in nature, from Lights of Canopus (Anvar-i Suhayli) by Husayn Va`izi Kashifi

Asi

The lynx considers brutality in nature, folio from Lights of Canopus (Anvar-i Suhayli), a reworking of the animal fables Kalila and Dimna (Kalila wa Dimna), composed by Husayn Va`izi Kashifi. These two paintings follow the observations of a peaceful-minded lynx, who has withdrawn from the lion's court in disappointment at his king's violent brutality. Retiring to the desert, he observes a long sequence of violence in nature, in which brutality is met with greater brutality. These paintings show the lynx noticing a snake killing a mouse (on recto), and a dog eating a fox (on verso). This folio is from a copy of a highly-regarded Persian text, written by Husayn Va`izi Kashifi (d.1504-05), a preacher and scholar at the Timurid court in Herat (modern Afghanistan). His patron was Amir Shaykh Suhayli, whose last name is punningly inserted into the new title. Writing in a sophisticated court style, Kashifi composed an updated version of these lively animal fables, which have a long transmission history going back to Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit texts. This manuscript was made in Mughal India, and features 96 paintings (mounted separately). Detached folio, ink, gold and colours on paper, Persian text in nasta`liq script, two paintings (on recto and verso), from partial copy of Lights of Canopus (Anvar-i Suhayli) by Husayn Va`izi Kashifi (d.1504-5), painting on verso inscribed to Asi, Agra, India, c. 1595-1600