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, circa 1760 - NPG 5263 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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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

Sittersback to top

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 Jafar. Robert Clive's victory at Plassey in 1757 was decisive in establishing British rule in Bengal and confirmed his own reputation as a great military leader. Mir Jafar, one of the defeated Nawab's generals, allied his troops to Clive and was appointed Nawab of Bengal in return for his support. 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

Placesback to top

  • Place portrayed: India (Palashi, Bengal)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1760back to top

Current affairs

Death of George II on 25 October at the age of 76. George III succeeds to the throne at the age of 22.

Art and science

German artist Johan Zoffany arrives in England, where he is instrumental in reviving the 'conversation piece' genre of painting.
First public exhibition of paintings in England is held at the Society of Arts' Great Room in the Strand, London.
The Public Ledger is founded; the oldest British periodical with continuous daily publication.


International

Seven Years' War: At the Battle of Carrickfergus in Ireland, a force of French troops captures the town of Carrickfergus before retiring.
Surrender of Montreal to the British under General Jeffrey Amherst signals the virtual loss of Canada by the French. British troops oust the Nawab of Bengal Mir Jafar and replace him with Mir Quasim.
Former Chief Tacky leads an unsuccessful slave rebellion in Jamaica, which aims to overthrow British rule.

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