Kalighat painting, husband beating his wife with a shoe, watercolour and tin alloy on paper, Kolkata, ca.1890

Painting, watercolour and tin alloy on paper, an enraged husband has taken off one of his shoes in his right hand, thrown his wife to the ground and caught her by the hair in order to strike her. The wife is holding a small broom in her hand. The husband, a 'Babu' or a dandy is well dressed and he has parted his hair in the 'Albert' (Prince Albert) style.

An enraged husband has taken off one of his shoes in his right hand, thrown his wife to the ground and caught her by the hair in order to strike her. The wife is holding a small broom in her hand. The husband, a 'Babu' or a dandy is well dressed and he has parted his hair in the 'Albert' (Prince Albert) style.

Given by Ernest H. Hindley, Esq.

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 brushstrokes that became the hallmark of Kalighat painting in the 19th and early 20th century.

Given by Ernest H. Hindley, Esq., Lightcliffe[?], Shepherd's Hill, Highgate, N. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

RP 1914-2063M

IM.141-1914