Composite animals are a peculiar genre widespread in all Indian pictorial traditions, from north to south. Examples are known from as early as the 15th century and their precursors are to be found in the oldest sculptures of the subcontinent. In these depictions, the silhouette is that of an animal whose anatomy is skillfully constructed by a concatenation of various figures. These can be humans, especially women, and animals, which remain individually recognisable. The painting in question depicts a dromedary whose body is made up of tigers, elephants, two large white birds, small fish and rodents. The intricate composition invites the viewer to appreciate the painting over and over again to glimpse new details.

21 x 28 cm