Nath Yogi and Dog
16th century
Attributed to Basawan
Mughal
This small drawing depicts a mendicant with companion dog. Leaning on his staff with open mouth, the mendicant gestures skyward. His prominent earring suggests he belongs to the Kanphata order, which takes its name, kan (ear) phata (split) from the large holes that the guru bores into the practitioners' ears during their initiation into the sect.
Black ink and watercolor on beige paper
Mughal period