ALFRED CROWDY LOVETT C.B.E (BRITISH 1862-1919): A SUPERB AND RARE WATERCOLOUR PAINTING ON PAPER DEPICTING A RATORE RAJPUT SOWAR OF THE BIKANER CAMEL CORPS OF INDIA DURING THE RAJ CIRCA 1908

The watercolour painting on paper, signed.

57cm x 36.5cm

Mounted 67cm x 45cm

The Corps was founded in the State of Bikaner by Maharaja Ganga Singh. The Unit served in the Boxer Rebellion circa 1900 in Somaliland, in Egypt and the Middle East during WWII.

This watercolour painting was possibly an original illustration for the Armies of India. The National Army Museum in London has a version of the watercolour painting.

Alfred Lovett was an army officer commissioned into the Gloucestershire Regiment in 1883, and he was promoted through the ranks to Brigadier General. He was posted to India with his regiment as a lieutenant in 1883, initially in Karachi. He then moved to Poona, Ahmedmagar, Bombay and Narisabad. He commanded the 1st Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment with the BEF in 1914. He was appointed Brigade Commander in the First Division and made Companion of the Order of the Bath, and awarded CBE in 1919.

While in India, Lovett illustrated an important book written by Major Macmunn, 'Armies of India' published originally in London by A&C Black in 1911.

Lovett died from illness aged 57 years old and is buried in Scarborough Manor Road Cemetry, North Yorkshire.

He was a very talented artist, painting landscapes, Indian Army uniforms and soldiers and his work is held in the Royal Academy.

Provenance: British Private Collection.