Who painted Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right)?

Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right) was painted by Raja Deen Dayal in 1884.

Where can I see Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right)?

Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right)?

Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right)

Raja Deen Dayal , 1884

Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi (verso, right) is a photography by the Impressionist artist Raja Deen Dayal. It dates from 1884 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2023.121.13.3
Credit line: John L. Severance Fund

About this work

Overview

This photograph, dated between 1885 and 1887, depicts Captain Bailward's horse, Jhansi, standing still with its head slightly turned, held by a man in military attire. It is one of over 105 images from a disassembled album capturing aspects of life among the British colonial elite and Indian royalty/upper class in India during this period.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is Jhansi, the horse of Captain Bailward, a British officer. The image conveys a moment of stillness, suggesting a pause in a broader, unseen narrative. Notably, the Indian photographer's lens captures a symbol of British colonial presence (the officer's horse) in a serene, everyday context.

Technique & Style

The photograph's composition is characterized by simplicity and a sense of quietude, with the horse as the central focus. The style reflects early photographic techniques of the late 19th century, emphasizing clarity and direct representation over dramatic posing.

History & Provenance

Originally part of an album likely commissioned by a British civil servant around 1888 as a personal memento, the photograph is now part of a dispersed collection, with the museum holding a separate set of 37 images (2016.266) from the same album.

Context

Created during the British colonial era in India, the photograph provides a glimpse into the interactions and daily life of the colonial elite and, uniquely, offers a view through the lens of an Indian photographer serving both British and Indian clientele.