
May one see it?
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
This painting by an anonymous Indian artist was probably done in Mysore. It depicts Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore from 1782 to 1799, who was defeated by the British at the Siege of Seringapatam. The V&A houses a mechanical organ that once belonged to him. It is in the shape of a European being mauled by a tiger and is known as 'Tippoo's Tiger'.
In the decades following Tipu Sultan's defeat and death, Delhi artists included the Mysore ruler in the series they often painted of famous Indian rulers. They seem to have used this portrait, which includes jewellery that is distinctively different from northern fashions, as a model. One such Delhi miniature is also in the V&A collection (646-1870).
Victoria and Albert Museum