oil on canvas, the fiercesome blue-skinned goddess, with four arms, with bloodied hands, protruding fangs and tongue, standing on a prostrate figure of Siva, surrounded by numerous severed heads, yellow and black painted borders, 44 x 33cm

Oil painting was introduced to India by European artists and, in Bengal, a new style emerged in the late 18th century, which combined indigenous subject matter with European influenced technique and composition. These paintings are popularly described as 'Dutch Bengal School', although French and English influences are probably just as relevant as Dutch. In any case, the result is uniquely Bengali, and we can see the origins of Kalighat painting which emerged later in the century. For a larger example sold recently at auction in Mumbai, see Todywalla and Co, 'Classical Indian Art 2', 24 February 2023, lot 73