About the Artwork +
This Kalighat painting by Uttam Chitrakar beautifully depicts a classical Bibi thoroughly absorbed in an intimate moment of self-admiration, holding a rose in one hand while gazing into a hand-held mirror. Originating near the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, West Bengal, this 19th-century folk art form frequently focused on upper-class domestic life, fashion and vanity, transforming private daily rituals into highly expressive visual art. In this composition a sense of poise and self-assurance, what is often interpreted as a "mirror of confidence" is captured.
The elegant woman is seated gracefully at the center of the canvas, her body leaning back comfortably against a large bolster cushion. She is draped in a beautiful salmon pink sari decorated with a pattern of white dots, featuring white patterns and a thick black border. Her skin is rendered in a warm, glowing tone, and her face is defined by striking almond-shaped eyes, long curved eyebrows, a sharp profile nose and a bright red line of sindoor parting her neatly styled black hair.Her arms and neck are adorned with rows of delicate white necklaces and bracelets that mimic traditional pearls and silver ornament.
Her hands guide the central narrative of the painting with delicate gestures. In her right hand, she lightly holds a single pink rosebud with tiny green leaves, raising it high beside her shoulder. In her left hand, she holds up an ornate, leaf-shaped black mirror, completely captivated by the reflection painted inside it. The artist uniquely includes a tiny, perfect miniature replica of her own face inside the mirror's frame, visually locking her gaze in a loop of confidence and grace.
The setting builds a theatrical, aristocratic environment through its clean structural framing. The large bolster cushion behind her is painted in a cool, light-blue hue, covered with a fine grid of white patterns. Hanging directly above her from the top border are heavy green curtains, neatly drawn back to the upper corners like a theater stage drape. The curtains feature a thick golden-yellow fringed trim along the bottom edge, adding a touch of sophistication to the artwork.
The painting features the Kalighat school's hallmark economy of line, using thick, continuous black outer contours to map the mass and presence of the central figure in single, confident brushstrokes. The color palette achieves a brilliant contrast between the warm skin and pink textile tones against the cool, grounding greens and blues of the room's decor. By documenting this classic theme of beauty and self-reflection with contemporary sharpness, the piece beautifully honors the storytelling legacy of Bengal’s rich folk art heritage.
Authentication and Certification +
Each of our artworks are hand painted by master artists across India. We provide a digital authentication
certificate with this artwork signed by the artist which will be sent over email after 3-4 days of delivery of the
artwork.
View Sample Here
Sizes, Framing and Customisation +
The sizes mentioned are excluding the borders of the artwork. Frames shown are for visual representation only and are not included with the artwork.
Customisation
Most artworks can be customised in terms of colours, size and elements to fit your requirements.
For custom artwork orders, please use the WhatsApp chat below or email us at
wecare@memeraki.com to discuss your requirements in
more detail.
Framing Services
No, we currently sell artworks unframed (unless explicitly mentioned otherwise) and do not provide framing services.
Shipping and Taxes +
We ship worldwide. All artworks are handmade and couriered securely in transit safe packaging sutaible for the artwork.
Domestic Orders
All prices are inclusive of GST and applicable Indian taxes.
- We offer free shipping on orders above ₹1999 for all artworks, except Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri.
- A flat shipping rate of ₹499 applies to orders below ₹1999.
Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri
Shipping is charged on a per-kilogram basis, due to the delicate and bulky nature of these items.
International Orders
- A flat shipping charge of ₹4,000 applies to international artwork orders.
- Customs duties, taxes, or import charges in the buyer’s country are not included and must be borne by the buyer.
- Shipping rates for Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri artworks will be calculated based on weight.
Additonal Shipping Charges
Extra charges may be applicable for both domestic and international deliveries in the following cases:
- If the article requires additional packaging (such as a wooden crate) to ensure safe shipping due to its delicate nature.
- Custom-framed artworks.
- Artworks where shorter side exceeds 35 inches or Decor items with any side over 35 inches.
- For orders above ₹24,999 in value, the shipping provider may levy an additional commercial package handling fee of up to ₹3,609.
- If you request express shipping. Contact support to check availability.
- The order contains more than two different product types.
You can proceed with your purchase, and our team will contact you to confirm any applicable additional shipping charges before processing your order. Alternatively, reach out to us on
WhatsApp
or email, and we'll assist you in completing your purchase with the final pricing.
Delivery Timelines and Returns +
Returns and Replacements
We offer replacements or repairs if your artwork arrives damaged or has a quality issue. As each artwork is handcrafted, we do not accept returns or refunds for orders received in the expected condition.
Delivery Timeline
This artwork will be Made to Order and will take
2-3 weeks
to be made and shipped.
Once your order is placed, our team stays in constant communication with the artist to track the progress and
ensure the quality of your order. You will receive regular updates from us throughout this process.
All MeMeraki artworks are hand-painted. In rare occasions, artist may face delays due to weather, health, prior commitments or force majeure. Our team will reach out to you with revised timelines in case of such delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience in such situations.
Colour Disclaimer+
All artworks on the website are hand painted from scratch by our master artists. This makes every artwork absolutely unique and the actual colour and overall artwork may vary slightly from the artwork image posted here.