Menu
FREE ART CONSULTATION
PreviewPreview AR previewAR preview Buy Hand Made Painting Buy Hand Made PaintingBuy Image Buy Image SendSend
DetailsDetails Add to favorites Add to favorites DownloadDownload SimilarsSimilars X-RayX-Ray DiaporamaDiaporama

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.

Witness a dramatic 1818 battle scene by Valentine Blacker, capturing the intense action of the Deccan army; explore this historical masterpiece today.

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.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (Buy Hand Made Painting Buy Hand Made PaintingBuy Image Buy Image)

P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8

Standard
custom
CM
INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

width
height

You may enter your own dimensions to fit a specific frame or space. If your selected size does not match the original image's proportions, we will either crop the artwork or extend the image with a mirrored or solid-fill edge. A digital mockup will be sent for your approval before production begins.
Please note that the on-screen preview does not reflect the actual cropping or extension. Only the mockup will accurately show the final composition.
While custom sizes are available, we recommend selecting a dimension from the predefined list to preserve the original proportions.

Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (23 August)

why_choose_icon
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
why_choose_icon
High-Quality Linen Canvas
why_choose_icon
Full Shipping Insurance
why_choose_icon
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
why_choose_icon
True Color Matching Guarantee
why_choose_icon
60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
why_choose_icon
100% Money-Back Guarantee
why_choose_icon
Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 63

reproduction

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.

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 63

Quick Facts

  • Dimensions: 28 x 30 cm
  • Artist: Valentine Blacker
  • Year: 1818
  • Medium: Watercolor (Implied)
  • Subject or theme: Historical battle scene

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
What historical event does the artwork depict?
Question 2:
Who was the artist associated with this artwork?
Question 3:
In what year did the battle depicted in the title take place?
Question 4:
According to the description, what was a significant outcome of the battle at Ashti?
Question 5:
What medium is suggested by the artist's known works mentioned in the biography?

Collectible Description

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.

Related Artworks


Artist Biography

early life and education

lieutenant colonel valentine blacker, a renowned artist and military officer, was born in armagh, northern ireland in 1778. his family had an ancestral home in the barony of oneilland east. blacker's early life is not well-documented, but it is known that he obtained a commission in the madras cavalry in 1798.

military career

  • 1799: made a cornet in the madras cavalry
  • 1800: aide-de-camp to colonel stevenson in the wayanad district
  • 1810: quartermaster-general
  • 1817: served in deccan, promoted to lieutenant-colonel
  • 1823: took over as surveyor general of india from john hodgson

artistic contributions

blackers' artistic talents are evident in his watercolor paintings, showcasing his mastery of color and light. some notable works include: lieutenant colonel valentine blacker's plan of the operations of the reserve of the deckan army (1818), a watercolor piece depicting the operations of the reserve of the deckan army under brigadier general thomas munro.

legacy and death

blacker's contributions to the trigonometrical survey of india are a testament to his scientific approach. he was stationed in calcutta from 1823 until his death from a fever in 1826. blacker was buried in south park street cemetery, calcutta. notable collections featuring blacker's work: blackers' artistic legacy continues to be celebrated through his works, showcasing the intersection of art and military service.
lieutenant colonel valentine blacker

lieutenant colonel valentine blacker

1778 - 1826 , Republic of Ireland

Quick Facts

  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Watercolor
  • Date Of Birth: 1778-10-19
  • Date Of Death: 1826-02-04
  • Full Name: Valentine Blacker
  • Nationality: Irish
  • Notable Artworks:
    • Plan of the Combat at Ashtee
    • Plan of the Hill Fort of Sattara
    • Plan of the Assault of the Fort of Taulneir
  • Place Of Birth: Armagh, Republic of Ireland
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.