1774
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Muhammad Ali Khan, Nawab of Arcot is a 1774 paint by Tilly Kettle, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows Muhammad Ali Khan, the Nawab of Arcot, sitting in a formal pose. He's dressed in traditional clothing with a serious expression. You can see the details of his attire and the background of the painting. The artist paid attention to the textures and colors of the scene. The painting is interesting because it's an example of Western painting introduced to Indian courts. It was created during a time of British influence in India. To learn more about the style and methods used in this painting, look into the technique of chiaroscuro.
The portrait is an oil on canvas depicting Muhammad Ali Khan, Nawab of Arcot, shown in full length wearing a jeweled turban, pearl necklaces, and armlets. Painted in 1774 by British artist Tilly Kettle, the work reflects the early adoption of Western painting styles in Indian courts, portraying the ruler standing on a terrace with classical architectural elements. Commissioned after Kettle’s success in Madras, the painting includes one of the famed Arcot diamonds at the Nawab’s neck. The work was later acquired by Stephen Sulivan, Judge-Advocate in India, and remained in his family before…
Read the full account in the museum source.
Tilly Kettle (1735 – 1786) was an English painter who specialised in portrait painting. He was the first British painter to operate in Colonial India.
See the richer artist page
