Artwork
A branch of a mango tree ('Mangifera Indica') bearing unripe fruits
A branch of a mango tree ('Mangifera Indica') bearing unripe fruits is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Bhawani Das. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This late 18th-century painting depicts a single branch of a mango tree (Mangifera Indica) laden with unripe, green fruits, set against a serene pale blue sky. Executed with meticulous detail in soft, natural colors, it exemplifies the Company painting tradition.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a meticulously rendered mango branch, reflects the patron's fascination with Indian flora. Commissioned by the Impeys, it highlights their interest in documenting the natural world of their colonial surroundings.
Technique & Style
The painting showcases Indian artistic skill blended with European aesthetic preferences, characteristic of Company paintings. Sharp detail in rendering leaves and fruit contrasts with the soft, natural color palette.
History & Provenance
Created around 1780 by Hindu artist Bhawani Das, this work was part of over 300 commissions by Sir Elijah and Lady Impey in Calcutta between 1777 and 1782. Originally in the Impey collection, it was one of many artworks documenting their menagerie and botanical interests.
Context
Produced during the British colonial period in India, this painting represents a cultural exchange where Indian artists catered to European patrons' tastes, blending traditional skills with foreign preferences.
Legacy
As part of the Company painting corpus, it contributes to the historical record of Indo-European artistic collaboration during the colonial era, offering insights into the botanical and cultural interests of the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bhawani Das painted lush Indian nature scenes in the late 1700s. His *Great Indian Fruit Bat* shows a bat hanging from a tree, wings spread wide—detailed enough to count its claws. Another work captures a mango branch…
