Visual representations tell us about the perceptions, emotions, and feelings of the painters who produced them regarding the events of 1857. These images reveal what the artists sought to convey and provide insight into the public that viewed them—those who appreciated or criticised the images and bought copies to display in their homes. The pictorial images, including paintings, pencil drawings, etchings, posters, cartoons, and bazaar prints produced by both British and Indians, serve as important records of the revolt. These images did not merely reflect the emotions of their times but also shaped sensibilities. The images that circulated in Britain led the public to sanction brutal repression of the rebels. Conversely, nationalist imageries of the revolt helped shape the nationalist imagination.

Historians analyse these representations by examining the elements in each visual to identify the perspective of the artist. They study how images indicate what painters perceived, felt, and sought to convey. Historians also analyse the relationship between images and their audiences—understanding who looked at these paintings, how they responded, and how the images shaped public opinion. Since there are very few records of the rebels' point of view, historians have primarily discussed rebel actions through accounts written by the British. By comparing visual sources with official accounts, letters, diaries, and newspaper reports, historians can gauge the fears, anxieties, and perceptions of both the British and Indians during the revolt.