Pierre-Mathurin Petraud (1808-1880), French Russian Officers...

Estimate

£6,000 - £8,000

Pierre-Mathurin Petraud (1808-1880), French
Russian Officers and Cossacks at a Military Outpost in the Caucasus
Oil on canvas

Such an instance of sending out smoke signals across ‘the line’ is depicted here by the French artist Pierre-Mathurin Pétraud (1808-1880). Originating from Bordeaux where he focused on portraiture he later travelled extensively through the Middle East, Asia Minor and Crimea.

The Cossacks and Imperial Army Officers are seen here with shaskhas, a traditional curved sword with a rounded hilt and decorative scabbard. Originating in the mountain tribes of the Caucasus from as early as the 17th century the Russian army took to producing their own from 1834 onwards and they even became something of a Russian national symbol.

Dimensions:
(Frame) 42 in. (H) x 32 in. (W)
(Canvas) 35 in. (H) x 27 in. (W)