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

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

by Francis Hayman
oil on canvas, circa 1760
39 1/2 in. x 50 in. (1003 mm x 1270 mm)
Purchased with help from The Art Fund, 1979
Primary Collection
NPG 5263

Sitters

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.

Artist

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

This portrait

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 publications

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 & Themes

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
Pets and animals
Servants, slaves and attendants
Swords and shields
Transport and vehicles
War and battle scenes
War and peace tour