'Lucknow Fantasia for the Piano-Forte', 1857

Music cover with music, colour lithograph by and after J Barndard, published by Chappell and Company, 49 and 50 New Bond Street, London, 1857 (c).

The cover of the 'Lucknow Fantasia' depicts the moment the 78th Highlanders arrived at the besieged Residency at Lucknow. It shows Jessie Brown, a corporal's wife, who had heard the bagpipes of the approaching force in her dream.

The image is a typical example of the Victorian romanticisation of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) as a savage native attack on defenceless British women. Many similar works were produced during and after the uprising which had generated unprecedented interest in Britain.