Portrait of Akbar II with Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalf and court dignitaries
Painting
ca. 1825 (painted)
ca. 1825 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This Company painting is a portrait of Akbar II (1759-1837), who became the penultimate Mughal emperor in 1806. He is seated in state on a gold throne, and on the left of the picture can be seen Hakim Rukhn ad-Daula and Sir Charles Theophilus (later Lord) Metcalfe (1785-1846), Resident and Agent 1811-1819 and 1825-1826. On the right of the picture stand Shah Hajji Khwas and Sidi Iqbal 'Alijan Nazir. Akbar II was succeeded by the last Emperor, Bahadur Shah II.
'Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars.
'Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Portrait of Akbar II with Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalf and court dignitaries (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Opaque watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Painting; gouache, Portrait of Akbar II with Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalf and court dignitaries, Delhi, ca. 1825 |
| Physical description | The Mughal emperor Akbar II is portrayed seated on a throne on a patterned carpet. Four other dignitaries are shown, two on either side. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | (The figures are all identified by minute contemporary inscriptions. Caspar Stanley Clarke has also added in pencil on the back: 'Akbar II (1806-1817) and Sir Chas. Metcalfe') |
| Credit line | Purchased from Lieutenant H. H. Cole |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This Company painting is a portrait of Akbar II (1759-1837), who became the penultimate Mughal emperor in 1806. He is seated in state on a gold throne, and on the left of the picture can be seen Hakim Rukhn ad-Daula and Sir Charles Theophilus (later Lord) Metcalfe (1785-1846), Resident and Agent 1811-1819 and 1825-1826. On the right of the picture stand Shah Hajji Khwas and Sidi Iqbal 'Alijan Nazir. Akbar II was succeeded by the last Emperor, Bahadur Shah II. 'Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 289-1871 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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