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Painting - Shah Alam II (1759-1806), the blind mughal Emperor, seated on a golden throne.
  • Shah Alam II (1759-1806), the blind mughal Emperor, seated on a golden throne.
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Shah Alam II (1759-1806), the blind mughal Emperor, seated on a golden throne.

  • Object:

    Painting

  • Place of origin:

    Delhi, India (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1800 (painted)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Opaque watercolour and gold on paper

  • Museum number:

    IS.114-1986

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

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Shah Alam II (r. 1759-1806) inherited the Mughal throne two years after the Battle of Plassey, often regarded as the pivotal point in the fortunes of the British in India. His fortunes rarely prospered, and in 1788 he was blinded by his enemies. He ended his life in Delhi under the protection of the British, with no power, but still universally regarded as the emperor. This portrait of the blind monarch is in the Delhi style of ca. 1800.

Physical description

The blind Mughal emperor Shah Alam II is shown seated on a golden throne, with his son and two attendants near him.

Place of Origin

Delhi, India (made)

Date

ca. 1800 (painted)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Opaque watercolour and gold on paper

Dimensions

Height: 32.5 cm picture, Width: 23.7 cm painting, Height: 38.9 cm page, Width: 27.1 cm page

Object history note

Purchased from Christie's South Kensington in 1986 (86/1736)

Dalrymple, William and Sharma, Yuthika (eds). Princes and Painters in Mughal Delhi, 1707-1857. New York : Asia Society ; New Haven [Conn.] : Yale University Press, 2012. ISBN 9780300176667 ; 030017666X. p.98-99, cat. no. 25.

Descriptive line

Painting; drawing, Shah Alam II enthroned, Delhi, ca.1800

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992 153 p. ISBN 0944142303

Materials

Watercolour; Gold paper

Subjects depicted

Costume; Throne; Shah Alam II; Akbar II

Categories

Paintings

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O17501
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