A BOTANICAL PAINTING OF A FLOWERING CASSIA FISTULA OR AMALTAS Possibly Calcutta (Kolkata), Eastern India, 19th century Opaque pigments and pencil on watermarked paper, the large composition depicting a cassia fistula from bud to full bloom surrounded by branches and leaves, naturalistically rendered showcasing an evolution in local draughtsmanship’s skills inspired by Western paintings, the choice of the subject truly Indian given the wide local presence of this plant and its association to the Hindu God Vishnu and to the religious festivals dedicated to him (Vishukkani), mounted and framed on white cardboard, 44cm x 32.5cm, excluding the mount.