Charge of the New Zealand Cavalry at the Battle of Orakau

Depicts a dramatic scene with members of the Waikato militia, holding swords, mounted on horses, charging at the Battle of Orakau. Orakau was the site of a decisive battle in 1864 between Maori and British troops. It was associated with the Invasion of Waikato, the biggest and most important campaign of the 19th century New Zealand Wars, fought in the North Island of New Zealand. The total force of the mission was 1120 men and the battle lasted for 3 days. 2500 Australians served in the Waikato Militia. Frank Prout Mahony (1862-1916) was born in Melbourne, but from the age of 10 in Sydney began work in an architect's office and studied under Giulio Anivitti at the New South Wales Academy of Art. His emergence as an artist dates from his employment on the 'Picturesque Atlas of Australasia' in 1886. Until Federation in 1901, Mahony was one of the best-known Australian artists and illustrators, specialising in the depiction of horses and in action scenes which stimulated-and reflected- national sentiment. In 1893 he illustrated A. B. Paterson's poem 'The Geebung Polo Club' and later his illustrations featured prominantly in several popular books, including Henry Lawson's 'While the Billy Boils' (1896) and 'In the Days when the World was Wide' (1900) and Ethel Pedley's 'Dot and the Kangaroo' (1899).