This painting by an anonymous Indian artist was probably done in Mysore. It depicts Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore from 1782 to 1799, who was defeated by the British at the Siege of Seringapatam. The V&A houses a mechanical organ that once belonged to him. It is in the shape of a European being mauled by a tiger and is known as 'Tippoo's Tiger'.
Physical description
Portrait of Tipu Sultan (1749-99). The ruler of Mysore is wearing a bright green tunic with matching green turban, decorated with a jewelled turban ornament. He has three pearl necklaces each with a jewelled pendant, and a jewelled sash over his right shoulder, which holds a gold sword on his left hip and a large green and yellow striped patka, a sash or belt. Tipu Sultan rests against a red bolster; the background is blue.
Place of Origin
Mysore, India (made)
Date
ca. 1790 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Opaque watercolour on paper
Dimensions
Height: 27 cm, Width: 21.5 cm
Object history note
Given by Col.T.G. Gayer-Anderson and Major R.G.Gayer-Anderson, Pasha
Historical significance: Tipu was born in 1749 or 1750 as the son of a military adventurer Haidar Ali Khan.
It was his tenacity, military prowess and Tipu's adoption of the tiger as his personal symbol that earned him the title 'The Tiger of Mysore'. See Bibliographical ref.
Descriptive line
Painting, Portrait of Tipu Sultan (1749-99), The Ruler of Mysore, Mysore, ca. 1790
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Buddle, Anne (1990) Tigers round the Throne: The Court of Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), Zamana Gallery Publications, London, p16-17. Guy, J., and Swallow, D., (eds). ‘Arts of India: 1550-1900’. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1990. ISBN 1851770224.p. 184, pl.161. Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992, 71 p. ISBN 0944142303
Swallow, Deborah and John Guy eds. Arts of India: 1550-1900. text by Rosemary Crill, John Guy, Veronica Murphy, Susan Stronge and Deborah Swallow. London : V&A Publications, 1990. 240 p., ill. ISBN 1851770224
Topsfield, A, in The Indian Heritage. Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule, V&A, 1982, cat. 96, p. 53, ISBN 0906969263..
Susan Stronge, Tipu's Tigers, V&A Publishing, 2009
Materials
Paper; Opaque watercolour
Techniques
Painted
Subjects depicted
Portraits; Tipu Sultan
Categories
Indian Company Paintings
Collection code
SSEA
