Johann Zoffany, R.A.

A mezzotint depicting a contest between the game-cocks of Colonel Mordaunt and the Nawab Wazir of Oudh, Asafud-dauba, who are seen facing each other with outstretched arms.

• Johann Zoffany (German, 1733-1810).
• Engraved by Richard Earlom.
• Colonel Mordaunt's Cock Match. At Lucknow in the Province of Oude in the Year 1786, at which were present several High and Distinguished Personages.
• London: R. Sayer, No. 53, Fleet Street, 1st May, 1792.
• With the rare index plate.
• This work is presented framed.

The court of Lucknow, renowned for many extravagances, was especially celebrated for the sports of hunting and cockfighting, in which the Nawab delighted. Mordaunt was a keen cockfighter and had brought out from England gamecocks which he was confidant would defeat the native-bred cocks (Mary Webster, Johan Zoffany 1733-1810, Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, 1976, cat. no. 104).

Notable spectators include General Martin, Mr. Wheeler, John Wombwell, Ozias Humphry and Zoffany himself.