Overall: 33cm (13in) x 44cm (17in)
Watercolour on paper. Studies of a Subedar on and off duty in landscape settings. This senior Indian officer (subedar) in uniform wears a red coat with yellow facings and silver lace, a Tulwar hanging from his shoulder belt. Off duty attire comprises in a yellow coat and turban worn with an Afghan or Khyber knife at his side with the striped nether garment, the latter with a tented camp to the right of the subject. The knife was introduced to India by the Persian Mughals and has a blade of very finely forged steel. It was designed to penetrate chain mail and other armour.
Signed to lower right corner 'Painted by J. W. Hearne Esq.'. Signed to lower right corner, inscribed to pencil to reverse 'J. T. Evans / Captain Lieut. 16 April 1785’. Each: 16.5cm (6.5in) x 12.5cm (4.9in). Framed and glazed.
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The present watercolours by the hand of J.W. Hearne might be compared with the work the Company School artists who typically turned their talents to producing works illustrating Indian modes of dress for Europeans employed by the East India Company in the presidencies of Bengal, Madras and Bombay. The name J.T. Evans and date inscribed to the reverse of the watercolours, suggests these works are illustrative of the Madras Army.
Captain John Tindal Evans (d.1799) was commissioned into the Madras Army in July 1785 and attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in October 1798. He is the only officer of that surname and with those initials to serve in any of the presidencies during the period 1760-1834.