Robert Clive, Mir Jafar and his son Mir Miran, with a number of British and Mughal attendants, after the Battle of Plassey, 1757
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Robert Clive, Mir Jafar and his son Mir Miran, with a number of British and Mughal attendants, 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
- Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive (1725-1774), Governor of Bengal. Sitter in 9 portraits. Identify
- Mir Miran (Sadiq Ali Khan Bahadur) (before 1747-died 1760), Eldest son of Mir Jafar. Sitter in 1 portrait.
- Mir Jafar (circa 1691-1765), Nawab of Murshidabad. Sitter in 1 portrait. Identify
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
- Smartify image discovery app
- 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
- Cultural or traditional attire
- Diversity
- Events and occasions tour
- Flags and banners
- Group portraits
- Hats and head attire
- Oil
- Painting
- Pets and animals
- Pets and animals - Horses
- Pets and animals - Wild and exotic animals
- Swords, daggers and shields
- Transport and vehicles
- Transport and vehicles - Animals
- War and battle scenes
- War and peace tour
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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