Auguste Raffet, Soldats de l’Armée Ottomane, Lithograph, 1830s

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Lithograph on wove paper, realized between 1837 and 1845. Signed in the plate. Image dimension 24x20 cm. Light to moderate … Read more Lithograph on wove paper, realized between 1837 and 1845. Signed in the plate. Image dimension 24x20 cm. Light to moderate foxing scattered throughout, especially around the margins; slight corner wear; image area clean and well-preserved. This lithograph by Auguste Raffet depicts a group of Ottoman Army irregular soldiers, known as Bachi-Bouzouks, standing in animated discussion. Barefoot and dressed in loose trousers, sashes, and fez-style headgear, their casual poses and distinct physiognomies contrast with the formality typical of European military portraits. Raffet, who travelled extensively in the Ottoman Empire during the 1830s and 1840s, documented the diversity of its military forces with keen ethnographic interest. This sheet exemplifies his ability to blend detailed observation with expressive draughtsmanship, offering both cultural insight and a sense of immediacy. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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