Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Oudh (1775–1797)

Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Oudh from 1784 was painted during Johann Zoffany's seven-year sojourn in India, where he traveled to seek new patronage and subject matter. The Nawab of Oudh was one of the wealthiest princes in India and an important patron of European artists visiting the subcontinent. Zoffany's oil technique achieved exceptional textural fidelity in the rendering of fabrics, scientific instruments, and domestic interiors, combining Flemish-inspired precision with a natural...

The portrait combines European portrait conventions with attention to the Indian ruler's distinctive dress and setting, demonstrating Zoffany's adaptability to new cultural contexts.