Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)

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India, probably Calcutta, early 19th century
Watercolour on paper
31.2 cm high, 48.5 cm wide

Provenance: French private collection.

A fine company school painting, likely done in Calcutta, depicting a hill myna (Gracula religiosa). A common member of the starling family found across South and Southeast Asia. Its specific name, religiosa, may reference its ability to mimic prayers. The hill myna is featured in the album of Lady Mary Bentinck, held in the Natural History Museum, London (ref no. Z88 f BEN), dated to 1833.