An Orange-Headed Ground Thrush and a Death's-Head Moth on a Purple Ebony Orchid Branch 1753 - 1803

Shaikh Zain al-Din, an Indian artist working in the late 18th century, rendered this painting on paper. The artwork depicts a vibrant scene from nature, with a colorful bird and moth perched on a flowering branch. Although working within the traditions of Company Painting, which served the aesthetic desires of the British East India Company, Zain al-Din's keen observation of the natural world and the meticulous detail in his work, reveal his investment in the local flora and fauna. Here, he moves beyond the constraints of academic naturalism. Note how the symbolic weight of the "death's-head moth" is offset by the beauty of the flowering branch. Zain al-Din's delicate handling of color and form transforms the moth from a symbol of mortality into an object of beauty. The eye is drawn to the vibrant colors of the orchid branch. This painting is a celebration of life's fragility and beauty, capturing a fleeting moment of harmony between a bird, a moth, and a flowering plant.