John Dalby (1810–1865) - Horse of the 20th British Hussars Regiment

John DALBY
(1810 – 1865)

Mount of the regiment of the 20th British Hussars

Oil on canvas
Signed lower left
46 x 61 cm
c. 1861-1865

John Dalby is the son of the animal painter David Dalby (1794-1836) and, like his father, practiced painting hunting scenes and horse portraits. He is sometimes referred to as John Dalby of York, having resided most of his time in the eponymous town. Like his father, he did not exhibit at the London Salons, preferring to work for private commissions. We find John Dalby's paintings in the collections of the Walker Art Gallery, in Liverpool and at the Yale Center for British Art.

The 20th Hussars were raised in 1861 as an indirect result of the Indian Mutiny which was finally put down in late 1859. The East India Company's rule over India ended and their military forces were either disbanded or transferred to the government British. These forces were, for the most part, regiments of native Indians with Indian and British officers. But there were infantry and cavalry regiments composed of European troops. The three European cavalry regiments converted to the British establishment were the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bengal European Light Cavalry Regiment which became the 19th, 20th and 21st Hussars. The 20th was formed in 1861 as the 20th Light Dragoons, but later in the same year the title was changed to the 20th Hussars.