The Young Emperor Akbar Arrests the Insolent Shah Abu’l-Maali, page from a manuscript of the Akbarnama, Basawan, between 1585 and 1595

The court of akbar, an illustration from akbarnama. The spiral composition, with horses defining the outer edges, skillfully draws the viewer's attention to the young emperor (age 13). He is portrayed in a powerful central position from which he exercises his first imperial act: the arrest of an unruly courtier, who was once a favorite of akbar's father. Object Type: painting. Date: between 1585 and 1595. Place of creation: Mughal Empire. Dimensions: height: 32 cm (12.5 in) ; width: 19.3 cm (7.5 in). Medium: gold, gouache paint, paper. Depicted People: Akbar. Collection: Art Institute of Chicago. Court of Akbar from Akbarnama