Sir Charles Ware Malte Concluding a Treaty in 1790 in Durbar with the Pesewa of the Maratha Empire by Thomas Daniel

Date painted: 1805 Oil on

canvas, 181 x 279.4 cm

     Malte, of the East India Company, presents a scroll to the Peshwa Madhavrao II, formalizing an alliance against another Indian ruler, Tipu Sultan of Mysore. The painting was commissioned by Malte to commemorate his role in the treaty and the ultimate defeat of Tipu Sultan.

      Daniel completed this work after the death in 1795 of James Wales, the Scottish artist who received the original commission from Malte. Daniel painted it in England, but had travelled extensively in India. His delight in Indian subjects is evident in the statues of Ganesh and Vishnu, the painted frieze, costumes and architecture.

Text and image credit:

Tate Gallery, London