English: This Company painting is a portrait of Akbar II (1759-1837), who became the penultimate Mughal emperor in 1806. He is seated in state on a gold throne, and on the left of the picture can be seen Hakim Rukhn ad-Daula and Sir Charles Theophilus (later Lord) Metcalfe (1785-1846), Resident and Agent 1811-1819 and 1825-1826. On the right of the picture stand Shah Hajji Khwas and Sidi Iqbal 'Alijan Nazir. Akbar II was succeeded by the last Emperor, Bahadur Shah II.

'Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditional Indian artistic styles with conventions and technical features borrowed from western art. Some Company paintings were specially commissioned, while others were virtually mass-produced and could be purchased in bazaars.

Physical description

The Mughal emperor Akbar II is portrayed seated on a throne on a patterned carpet. Four other dignitaries are shown, two on either side. Place of Origin

Delhi, India (made) Date

ca. 1825 (painted) Artist/maker

Unknown (production) Materials and Techniques

Opaque watercolour on paper Dimensions

Height: 35.5 cm, Width: 27.5 cm Descriptive line

Painting; gouache, Portrait of Akbar II with Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalf and court dignitaries, Delhi, ca. 1825 Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992, 162 p ISBN 0944142303 Materials

Paper; Opaque watercolour Techniques

Painted Subjects depicted

Flowers; Costume; Throne; Carpet; Akbar II; Metcalfe, Sir Charles Theophilus; Hakim Rukhn ud-Daula; Shah Hajji KhwasSidi Iqbal Alijan Nazir Categories

Paintings; Company paintings