Robert Clive and Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey, 1757

Sittersback to top

• Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive (1725-1774), Governor of Bengal. Sitter in 8 portraits.
• Mir Jafar (circa 1691-1765), Nawab of Murshidabad. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

• Francis Hayman (1707 or 1708-1776), Painter. Artist associated with 13 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This is a preliminary design for a much larger painting, now lost, which was one of the patriotic history paintings placed on display at Vauxhall Gardens in 1762 during the seven years' war with France. It was made by Francis Hayman and recreates the meeting between Robert Clive and Mir Jaffier. Clive, the commander of the British East India Company's army in Bengal, was ordered to defeat the Nawab of Bengal in order to win favourable trading conditions. This he did by encouraging the defection of the Nawab's army commander Mir Jaffier to the British side. Although one of the first artists to exploit Anglo-Indian subject matter, Hayman never visited the country and this may account for his awkward rendering of the elephant.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Bayly, Christopher, The Raj: India and the British 1600-1947, 1990 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 19 October 1990 - 17 March 1991), p. 99
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 723

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Around the world
• Costumes and national dress
• Diversity
• Diversity tour
• Events and occasions tour
• Flags and banners
• Georgian tour
• Group portraits
• Hats and head-attire
• On display at the Gallery
• Pets and animals
• Servants, slaves and attendants
• Swords and shields
• Transport and vehicles
• War and battle scenes
• War and peace tour