KARACHI, Sept 2: A rare and superb miniature painting by Miskin, a brilliant artist in the Mughal Emperor Akber’s atelier, has been selected as Object of the Month (September) at the National Museum of Pakistan.

Ranked eighth on Abu Al Fazl’s list, Miskin excelled in depicting the animal and bird kingdom. He was very active, mostly in the second half of Akbar’s reign, from approximately 1580 to 1604.

Miskin was very much influenced by his father, Mahesh, who was also an artist and an important figure within the imperial atelier.

Both father and son had worked on the Durab Nama, a manuscript now in the British Library, produced between 1580 and 1585. He had also worked on the Razm-Nama (illustrated, circa 1580 - 1584, now in the City Palace Museum in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India).

By the time the Timur Nama was illustrated in 1584, he was no longer employed as a simple colourist but was responsible for overall composition.

The painting on display reveals Miskin’s talents as animals and birds’ painter. His taste for dramatic composition and page layout is a consistent feature of his work. His genius at painting animals, birds and rocks in the Persian style is perhaps most evident in the impressive illustration.

According to a contemporary account, the sweeping view of animals desperately fleeing before Akbar unfolds with incomparable grace. The lowliest bird, whether flying or sitting, is depicted with supreme sensitivity.