Introduction of British sports into Cyprus, pony race by native police at Larnaca

The engraving captures a scene of pony race by native police at Larnaca. The British were the first to introduce horse racing on the island, a sporting tradition that persists to the present day. At two different points in the picture, the artist tries to signify the bi-national or bi-ethnic composition of the local crowd. In the middle of the painting, in the background, the Union Jack flies on a central mast in between the Greek and Turkish national banners. Similarly, on the left hand side, in the background, the artist marks the presence of a church and a mosque. Yet, the crowd is not reduced to Greeks and Turks. A fascinating array of individuals, British soldiers and sailors, Turkish policemen on horseback, British civilians in European attire, local peddlers and even clergy join in and mingle as they strive to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. The sight of a Greek Orthodox priest squeezing himself through the crowd, although demeaning for a member of the priesthood, may not be an entirely unrealistic representation of the attitudes of the clergy. The composition of the crowd is also marked by differences of gender as both men and women appear among the spectators. It is, however, the differences of power and status that manifest themselves most conspicuously in the engraving. The raised platform in the middle is exclusively occupied by members of the ruling British colonial elite. The jockeys are Turkish members of the Pioneer regiment. On the left hand side, another Turkish Pioneer appears on his horse as if trying to contain the crowd.