A pair of Brahminy ducks c. 1595; borders added probably 1800s India, Mughal, 16th century Opaque watercolor on paper, mounted with later pink and blue borders Page: 28.3 x 19.8 cm (11 1/8 x 7 13/16 in.); Painting: 8.6 x 4.5 cm (3 3/8 x 1 3/4 in.) Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.299 DID YOU KNOW? Delicate dots articulate the texture of webbed feet and toothy row in the beak. DESCRIPTION The Brahminy duck, also known as the ruddy shelduck, can be found throughout Southern Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. This painting accurately depicts the orange coloring of Brahminy ducks and the patches of white on their wings. They are also recognizable by their long legs and short bills. The level of detail in realistic paintings of animals like this one suggests that Mughal artists studied live subjects, such as the waterfowl that lived in Mughal palace gardens. INSCRIPTION Inscription above painting, Arabic numerals: 38 EXHIBITION HISTORY The Cleveland Museum of Art (7/31/2016-10/23/2016); Art and Stories from Mughal India, cat. 19, p. 193. Art and Stories from Mughal India. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (July 31-October 23, 2016).