From London to Punjab
Before Molka moved to Punjab with her husband and fellow artist Sheikh Ahmed, she grew up in London and gained a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Art.
The university
This oil painting depicts the Department of Fine Arts at the university in Lahore, Pakistan, which Molka established in 1940.
Painting outside
Molka was one of the first art teachers in Pakistan to take her students outside to paint. This work shows her interest in creating work in direct response to the surroundings.
Straight onto the canvas
Molka worked with a collection of palette knives and her hands, and would squeeze paint straight from the tube and mix it on the canvas.
A very good boy
This skilled pup looks directly at the viewer, seemingly asking for our approval.
Piano paw-te
The keys of the pianoforte are pawed with great skill by this extraordinary little animal.
Dog save the Queen?
Some have identified the sheet music as the English National Anthem – do you think the dog is playing "God Save the Queen/King".
Portrait of an Extraordinary Musical Dog, Philip Reinagle, 1805
Click on the dots to zoom into the details
Explore