Portrait of Tippoo Saib (Tippu Sultan), ca. 1840

This antique steel engraving titled Portrait of Tippoo Saib (Tippu Sultan) dates to circa 1840 and represents one of the enduring European visual interpretations of the Mysore ruler. The portrait presents Tipu Sultan in a formal, dignified manner, reflecting both his historical prominence and the fascination he held for British and European audiences in the 19th century.

The engraving is the work of John Cochran (1821–1865), a skilled British engraver known for his refined handling of steel plates — a medium that allowed for exceptional detail, sharper lines, and longer print runs than earlier copper engravings. Cochran’s precision, tonal depth, and clarity are evident in the controlled line work and balanced composition of this print.

The original image is attributed to William Daniell RA (1769–1837), an important British artist and Royal Academician celebrated for his extensive visual documentation of India. Daniell’s works played a formative role in shaping European perceptions of India in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, combining topographical accuracy with a distinctly European artistic lens.

This engraving was published by George Virtue (1794–1868), a prominent London publisher renowned for producing high-quality illustrated books and prints intended for a wide readership. Virtue’s publications are now valued for their craftsmanship and historical significance.

The print is presented with an off-white mount and encased in a black frame, giving it a clean, archival presentation that complements the engraving without distracting from its detail. As a historical artefact, this piece reflects the collaborative nature of 19th-century printmaking — artist, engraver, and publisher — and makes a compelling addition for collectors of antique engravings, Indian historical portraits, and colonial-era visual culture.