The four lions in this miniature are set against the soft and delightful green of nature. The figures are involved in an organized dynamic. The main protagonist can be seen emerging from the copse of trees, in an aloof and authoritative demeanour. The lioness on the other hand, is shown in a more frivolous mood. The use of color is schematised so as the ochre of the lions stand prominently against different tones of green which are in subtle gradation. Breaking the monotony of colors is a blue, narrow stream meandering down mounds of green to terminate in a shallow pond.
Compositionally this miniature has several exceptional features. Firstly, fauna is primary and flora is relegated to an auxiliary status. Secondly, the trees are foreshortened in order to highlight the central figures, this is in contrast to the general Mughal characteristic where animals are foreshortened in order to include them conventionally.
The treatment itself deserves a mention. The total composition is such as to place the animals in the foreground and to bring out not only their shape and form in relief, but also their ferocious character, which at this given moment is held in reserve. A great deal of planning has gone into executing the picture and the background is intentionally left uncluttered so that focus on the central figures is not distracted. The magnificence and majesty of the 'King of Beasts' is as forceful as the figures are tiny. This is subtly brought out through the delicate use of line.
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