Untitled

Animals, specifically the elephant, horse and tiger, appear frequently in Maqbool Fida Husain's body of work. R. Bartholomew and S. Kapur in their pivotal book on Husain, suggest that it is not the animals themselves but an underlying and instinctual principle that Husain is painting. These animals have a strong symbolic presence conjuring images of power, pursuit and mystery. Generally speaking, in Indian culture, the elephant is a prominent and powerful symbol, and is often, though not exclusively, linked to Ganesha. The animal can even suggest royalty, as elephants commonly were the carriers of kings during important processions. Thus, in this painting, the blending of these three animals could take on a more mythic and spiritual significance.