Great Indian Fruit Bat

Bhawani Das

Created:
Movement:
1807
None
key Notes:
Naturalistic depiction; Scientific illustration.
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Dimensions:
Painting: H. 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm) W. 32 3/4 in. (83.2 cm) Mat size: H. 27 1/4 in. (69.2 cm) W. 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm)
medium:
Pencil, ink, and opaque watercolor on paper
Difficulty:
Master
New game
story of the work:

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Great Indian Fruit Bat by Bhawani Das

The painting titled Great Indian Fruit Bat by Bhawani Das, created in 1807, is an exquisite example of natural history illustration from the early 19th century. Executed using pencil, ink, and opaque watercolor on paper, this work reflects the detailed and scientific approach characteristic of the Company School of painting. Bhawani Das was an Indian artist employed by the East India Company, contributing significantly to the documentation of Indian flora and fauna. His work is notable for its precision and attention to detail, which served both artistic and scientific purposes. The painting not only highlights the biodiversity of the Indian subcontinent but also represents the cross-cultural exchanges between Indian artists and European patrons during the colonial period. Bhawani Das's contributions are crucial in understanding the intersection of art and science in colonial India.

Description of the work:

Great Indian Fruit Bat by Bhawani Das (1807)

The painting "Great Indian Fruit Bat" by Bhawani Das, created in 1807, employs pencil, ink, and opaque watercolor on paper to depict a detailed and naturalistic representation of the fruit bat, showcasing the artist's skill in capturing the intricacies of wildlife. This work is characteristic of the Company School style, which combined traditional Indian artistic techniques with European influences during the British colonial period in India.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Great Indian Fruit Bat