The Policeman's bribe
2010
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
2010
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Policeman's bribe is a 2010 paint by Anwar Chitrakar, depicting Kalighat, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This scene shows a villager being led away by a policeman while her friend tries to bribe him with cash. It’s a modern take on Kalighat paintings, which used to focus on scandals and daily life. The painting highlights local corruption in a tense moment. The friend’s quick action makes you wonder what happens next. Check out more works by Anwar Chitrakar.
The work depicts a scene of local policemen in West Bengal government khaki uniforms forcibly leading a village woman toward a police car, while a second woman prepares to offer a bribe to secure her release. Six figures appear on a large rectangular canvas, including three women in traditional saris and ornate jewelry, set against a background of trees and a road.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Anwar Chitrakar paints in the Kalighat tradition, a 19th-century style from Calcutta that turned everyday scenes into bold, witty scrolls.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
