1st Life Guard on Patrol

The Life Guards represent the oldest and most senior regiment in the British Army and this is the only depiction of a Lifeguard from this period in the collection. It is one of the few paintings in oil by Tayler and is likely to have been originally commissioned by a member of the Household Cavalry. The Trooper is shown wearing the so called ‘Roman Style’ helmet introduced by William IV in 1830. The scene is an imaginary one as the Life Guards were not conducting operations at this time and their duties were confined to Royal escorts. The suggestion of the enemy is shown by two silhouettes in the background. The stylistic treatment of the horse and the cloud of dust from the horse’s hooves are particular trademarks of Tayler’s work.