Drawing, domestic violence, by Nibaran Chandra Ghosh, pencil and watercolour on paper, Kalighat, Kolkata, ca. 1900

An unfinished Kalighat study in black pencil, with watercolour details against a plain background, of a wife bowing at her husband's feet. The man is shown standing over his wife whilst pulling her sari to the side as he prepares to strike her. The facial features are in black outline, with pale brown and pink shading. The woman's sari and man's dhoti are in blue. The husband has a formal pleated scarf round his neck indicating that either he is about to go out or he is returning home.

A wife bowing at her husband's feet. The man is shown standing over his wife whilst pulling her sari to the side as he prepares to strike her.

Given by W.G. Archer.

Historical significance: 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 painting in the 19th and early 20th century. Originally purchased at Kalighat in 1932 from the family of the artist Nirbaran Chandra Ghosh (c. 1835-1930).

Unfinished watercolours similar to this image provide valuable information about the Kalighat artist's methods of working and the various stages of completion. (Jain 1999)

IS.36-1952