Rufous Treepie and Caterpillar on Branch

Belonging to 'Impey Album ', which was commissioned by Lady Mary Impey, wife of the Chief Justice of India during 1777-1783, Sheikh Zain al-Din, also known as Sheikh Zainuddin, is one of the depictions of birds kept in menagerie/ captivity for display in Calcutta, under the East India Company. The painting's sophisticated style plays a pivotal role in understanding power and knowledge dynamics in the eighteenth century. Sheikh Zainuddin is widely known for blending Mughal and Western painting techniques, which suited the Company's style of painting. Under Mary Impey, he created realistic illustrations of birds and animals from her private display. Using the Mughal Patna Qalam style along with English Botanical illustration helped him create realistic sketches that gave the spectator a sense of life and vitality. The artwork presented here depicts a Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) perched on a branch. The bird looks intently at the small caterpillar positioned a short distance away. Set against a clean, unembellished paper background, the painting emphasises lifelike plumage and subtle tonal gradations across the bird's ochre-orange body, dark head, and long tail. The plain background hints at the purpose of sketching, which was used to collect and document the birds kept under Mary Impey.