Fish Procession, Artist unknown, Probably Late 18th century, Oil on Canvas, 137x2016 cms.

This painting depicts a scene of festivity in southern China. According to the 1931 catalogue, persons carrying dragon lanterns mark the water festival, also termed as the Feast of the Lamps. A multiplicity of fish and dragon lanterns can be seen across the canvas. Rows of people are seen frolicking in the foreground as well as in the distant background in a forward movement towards a pavilion. A man clad in brown cape holds a gigantic white lantern while musicians surround him. Two men doing the dragon dance can be seen in the middle ground. The frame extends on the left towards a couple coming into this procession, seated in a carriage. A host of large fish shaped lamps seem to be frolicking above the river.

Portfolio Name: Select Paintings of Rashtrapati Bhavan
Source: Lalit Kala Akademi