The military artist Richard Simkin produced this painting very early on in his career. He was born in 1851 so was 23 when he painted an officer of the 9th Lancers in 1874. It was no doubt based on his personal observation although there is a questionable badge on the black leather sabretache. All photos of officers at this time show the sabretache to be plain black. The rest of the uniform agrees with the 1872 photo of Captain Cleland, except that it looks as if he has painted silver pickers and boss on the pouch-belt. The black and white cock feathers on his lance cap are strangely wavy and should be only slightly curved.
