“Cat's Whiskers or African Cabbage” is a painting from Richard Cresswell’s (1815-1882) collection, done by the illustrious artist, Shaikh Zainuddin. The work depicts the Cat’s Whiskers plant, also known as Cleome gynandra. The leaves of the plant, the part of the plant that are the key aspect of its medicinal value, is shown with its characteristic dark green hue. The curling of the leaves and the soft veins and venules are depicted masterfully by Sheikh Zainuddin, showcasing his complete mastery of Mughal realism and naturalism. The leaves are connected by branches to the stem, all of which are also shown extremely well. At the top of the plant, we see the small white flowers characteristic to the Cat’s Whiskers. A miniature diagram of the plant can also be seen beside the drawing.
This drawing is part of the amateur botanist Richard Cresswell’s collection of mostly botanical Company paintings. The Cat’s Whiskers leaves are a known cure for sinus headaches and chest congestions, as well as for treating tapeworm. When the EIC landed in India, they often contacted diseases alien to them, and were reliant on Indian medical practitioners for cures. This led to the EIC often commissioning artists for depicting medicinal plants in India.
The plant rises quietly from the page like a traveller carrying stories in its leaves. Its roots are exposed, reminding us that every journey begins beneath the surface, where growth is invisible. The white flowers bloom like tiny stars, fragile yet fearless, proving that beauty does not need grandeur to be unforgettable. Every leaf stretches in a different direction, as though embracing the world without losing its centre. Against the empty background, the plant becomes a portrait of resilience, suggesting that life's greatest strength often grows in silence. It whispers that even the smallest living thing can hold an entire universe of wonder.
