Military & Political · 18th century
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition overall. Light age toning and scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. Hand coloring remains fresh and well-defined. No major tears or losses observed. Generous margins.
French Hussar with Horse 1795, Napoleonic Era Military Uniform Print
This finely hand-colored 19th-century engraving depicts a French hussar accompanied by his horse, shown in the distinctive uniform of 1795 during the French Revolutionary period that directly preceded the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. The figure is presented at rest, holding his sabre, while the saddled horse stands calmly beside him. In the background, faintly sketched cavalry formations suggest movement and campaign life, reinforcing the military context.
The hussar’s uniform is rendered with great precision: braided pelisse, tall shako with tricolor cockade, tight blue trousers, and light cavalry accoutrements that defined the elite hussar regiments of Revolutionary France. These fast-moving cavalry units became iconic under Napoleon, symbolizing speed, daring, and battlefield reconnaissance.
This print originates from *Histoire de l’Empereur Napoléon* by P.-M. Laurent de l’Ardèche, published in Paris in 1843, and is after a design by Horace Vernet. Vernet was the most influential French military artist of the 19th century, renowned for combining artistic drama with documentary accuracy. His illustrations played a crucial role in shaping the visual memory of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic armies.
Although published decades after the events depicted, the plate reflects the 19th-century revival of interest in Napoleonic history and military costume, making it both a historical document and a collector’s piece. It appeals strongly to collectors of Napoleonic material, cavalry history enthusiasts, and interior designers seeking authentic French military imagery.
Condition report:
Good condition overall. Light age toning and scattered foxing, mainly in the margins. Hand coloring remains fresh and well-defined. No major tears or losses observed. Generous margins.
Framing tips:
A dark walnut or black frame with a warm off-white or light grey mat will enhance the colors and give the print a refined, museum-style presentation. Particularly effective when displayed alongside other Napoleonic or Revolutionary cavalry prints.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: After Horace Vernet, France, Paris, 1843
