Cat with a fish in its mouth. Anonymous. Kalighat painting. Calcutta, India, c.1890. The bright yellow cat with large black markings and a fish in its mouth is often interpreted as an illustration of a Bengali proverb. The composition suggests the cat is a satirical representation of a false ascetic who despite renouncing the world is unable to control its lust.

Artist: Kalighat Painter

About the artist
Kalighat Painters
Calcutta was recognised as the capital of British India from 1833-1912. By the 1830s, artists had arrived from rural villages in Bengal and began to produce paintings that reflected local history, mythology, customs and conflicts of a colonised society. As a popular art form, these artists are recognised for their use of brilliant colour, simplified images and swift brush strokes that became the hallmark of Kalighat.