Michael Angelo Hayes, RHA., (1820-1877)

"The Battle of Sobraon, 1846,
Watercolour

Michael Angelo Hayes was the son and pupil of Edward Hayes, the Irish portrait painter. He specialised in racing and military subjects and first exhibited at the RHA in 1837. In 1842 he was appointed Military Painter-in-Ordinary to The Lord Lieutenant. He worked for a time in London before returning to Dublin and became a full Member of the RHA in 1854. He worked in oil and watercolours, also executing some miniatures. Hayes exhibited 50 works at the RHA from addresses in Westmorland St. and Adelaide Road. His large exhibition water-colour of The Battle of Aliwal (1846) is in the collection of the National Army Museum, London.

The Battle of Sobraon took place on 10th February 1846, between the forces of The East India Company and The Sikh Army. The Sikhs were defeated. This was the decisive battle of The First Anglo-Sikh War. Lieutenant-General Sir. Joseph Thackwell (1781-1859), 3rd Light Dragoons was in command of the cavarly at Sobraon. Shortly after the battle, on November 9th 1846, he was promoted to Major-General. After an illustrious career in the army, Hayes died on 8th April 1877 at Aghada Hall, Co. Cork.
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20 x 30 inches; 51 x 76 cm.