NAM.1958-12-42-1

Thomas Henry Kavanagh VC (1821-1882), Assistant Commissioner in Oudh, Indian Civil Service, 1857. Oil on canvas, by Louis William Desanges (1822-1906), 1860 (c). Bust-length, in civilian dress, wearing Victoria Cross and campaign medal. Thomas Kavanagh won the Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). On 9 November 1857, he disguised himself and escaped from the besieged Residency at Lucknow in order to guide in the relieving force (see 1958-12-48). The painting is one of a series of 55 depicting Victoria Cross subjects executed between 1859 and 1862 by the British artist Louis Desanges, and displayed at the Crystal Palace during the 1860s and 1870s.

Indian Mutiny (1857-1859)