The painting was recorded in Marlborough House in 1877 (904), entitled 'Equestrian portrait of Colonel Fraser, V.C. in Abyssinia', by Colonel Fraser. However, it is signed Alex Elliot and now attributed to amateur artist and soldier Sir Alexander James Hardy Elliot (1825-1909). It presumably depicts a moment in the Abyssinian War, which took place between December 1867 and May 1868. Here, Colonel Fraser, mounted on a cream horse and accompanied by native riders, follows a dusty track, leading a troop of mounted soldiers into dense vegetation.

The artist was the son of Admiral Sir George Elliot. He was commissioned as a cavalry officer on 22 February 1843; promoted to cornet in the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers on 18 July 1848 and to lieutenant in the 5th Dragoon Guards on 14 June 1850. He served at the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854 during the Crimean War and went on to command the troops in the North British District in 1885, retiring in 1888. He was honoured as a Knight Commander of the Bath in 1897.

The Royal Collection holds a number of watercolours, apparently painted for the Prince of Wales (see RCIN 452256, 452258).