Overall: 61cm (24in) x 71cm (28in)
Oil on canvas. An chestnut charger of the a Royal Artillery Militia Officer equipped with standard cavalry pattern horse furniture, the RA bridle with militia Martingales on the bit, hunting pattern saddle over black Ukrainian lambskin saddle cloth with scarlet scalloped edging, standing in a coastal defences gun position. Signed lower centre ‘R. Walker’. Canvas: 48cm x 58cm. Contained in gilt wood frame.
In 1852 the rise of Napoleon III across the English Channel galvanised the British Government to raise a militia force of 80,000 men and strengthen the nations coastal defences. The control of the Militia was largely in the hands of the Lord Lieutenant of each County who were responsible for granting the commissions to the officers. Such often resulted in the Lord Lieutenants appointing friends among the usually unqualifed gentry to the positions of field officers (in the rank of major or above) rather than professionally trained artillery officers. The present portrait is likely that of a charger belonging to a commanding officer or field officer.