Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl.Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker · 1818
Watercolor- WallArt
- Romanticism
1818- 19th Century
28.0 x 30.0 cm
Kalakriti Archives
Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker (1778 – 1826)
Explore the art of Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker (1778-1826), a military officer & artist known for detailed watercolor plans depicting 19th-century Indian campaigns. Discover his unique blend of cartography and artistry.
Kalakriti Archives (Hyderabad, India)
Explore Kalakriti Archives in Hyderabad—a treasure trove of vintage maps, rare photographs & prints spanning 500 years. Discover India's rich heritage & artistic legacy. A unique collection curated by Prshant Lahoti!
A Vivid Chronicle of Conflict: The Battle of Ashti
To gaze upon this depiction is to be transported across the veil of time, directly into the tumultuous heart of early nineteenth-century Indian warfare. This painting captures the dramatic aftermath and intensity of the Battle of Ashti on February 19, 1818. It is not merely a record of troop movements; it is a visceral tableau vivant, frozen at a moment when the fate of regional powers hung precariously in the balance. The scene pulses with the energy of cavalry engagement, illustrating the clash between General Lionel Smith’s disciplined forces and the formidable horsemen commanded by Geklahl.
Mastery in Watercolor: Technique and Composition
Executed by lieutenant colonel valentine blacker, this work showcases a remarkable command of watercolor technique. The artist employs washes of color to suggest both the dusty heat of the battlefield and the reflective sheen upon the water that bisects the composition. While the subject matter is inherently chaotic—a clash of men, horses, and weaponry—Blacker organizes the chaos with an almost cartographic precision. Notice how the river itself acts as a compositional divider, drawing the eye from the boats clustered on the left to the central action involving the horse in the middle-right ground. The careful placement of figures near the water's edge suggests both tactical maneuvering and the sheer vulnerability inherent in such grand confrontations.
Historical Resonance: The Stakes of Empire
The context surrounding this piece imbues it with profound historical weight. This battle occurred while the Peshwa was fleeing from the might of the EIC army, making Ashti a pivotal point in the shifting political landscape of the Deccan. The narrative embedded within the canvas speaks to loss—the death of Bapu Gokhale represented a severe blow to Maratha fortunes. For the collector or admirer, owning this piece is acquiring a tangible link to the complex geopolitical struggles that shaped modern India, offering a window into military strategy and personal valor during a period of immense upheaval.
Emotional Echoes for the Modern Space
Beyond its historical documentation, this artwork possesses an undeniable emotional resonance. It speaks to themes universal to the human experience: courage under duress, the cost of conflict, and the enduring spirit required to survive such turmoil. For an interior space seeking depth and narrative gravitas—perhaps a study, a library, or a grand hall—this reproduction offers more than mere decoration; it offers contemplation. The drama captured here invites quiet reflection upon the passage of time and the indelible marks that history leaves upon the landscape and the soul.
About this artwork
- Title: Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl.
- Artist: Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker
- Year: 1818
- Original dimensions: 28.0 x 30.0 cm
- Format: Square
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Where to see it: Kalakriti Archives
- Movement: Romanticism
- Period: 19th Century
- Medium type: WallArt
Quick Facts
- Title: Plan of the Combat at Ashtee
- Dimensions: 28 x 30 cm
- Medium: Watercolor (Implied)
- Subject or theme: Historical battle scene
- Year: 1818
Questions & Answers
What was Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker's age when "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." was created?
Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker made "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." at the age of 40. The artist was born in 1778 and the work is dated 1818.
Where does "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker sit in art history?
Historically, "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." is a Romanticism work of the broader 19th-Century era.
Which reproduction size is suggested for "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker?
"Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." is recommended at a medium print size. Other sizes are available with the same proportions.
Who created "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl."?
The artist behind "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." is Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker. The work is catalogued under Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker's name.
What art movement does "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker belong to?
The movement associated with "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker is Romanticism. This classification situates the work among related artists and artworks.
What underlying hue runs through "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker?
The dominant hue of "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker is ochre to sepia. The hue is the underlying tone of the palette.
In what year was "Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker created?
"Title (Original): Plan of the Combat at Ashtee Between the Cavalry of the 4th & Reserve Divisions of the army of the Deckan under the Command of Brig. General Lionel Smith, C.B. And the Pasha’s Horse Commanded by Geklahl." by Lieutenant Colonel Valentine Blacker was created in 1818.