Large portrait of a captain of Cuirassiers officer of the Empire, oil on canvas circa 1820

French school from the beginning of the 19th century, important portrait of an officer captain of cuirassiers under the Restoration, oil on canvas in a beautiful and large Restoration Empire frame with palmettes, goats' heads and caduceus, gilded with gold leaf. Circa 1820.

Our officer wears a Cuirassier uniform in vogue during the Second Restoration, with a Cuirassier officer's sword. He wears the cross of the Legion of Honor, but not that of Saint Louis. Given his age (around thirty years) and his rank of captain combined with the absence of the Cross of Saint Louis, everything suggests that our cavalry officer is a veteran of the Empire, who has not not renounced his primary commitment to the Emperor to embrace the Bourbon cause, which would explain a career which seems to have slowed down a little since 1815.
Cuirassiers were the heavy cavalry of the Empire intended to break through the enemy's lines. In full dress and on the battlefield, the cuirassiers wore a breastplate, a helmet and a long sabre. The cavalrymen of the Republican Guard today are the heirs with a uniform presenting many similarities in facings and colors.

The portrait is impressive with its large format, the quality of the painting and its frame. Beautiful piece to complement a collection of militaria or an early 19th century atmosphere.

The whole is in excellent condition, painting and frames cleaned by our restorer. On its original canvas, very healthy and without repainting.

Frame: 113cm x 93cm
Canvas: 92cm x 74cm

Ref: OCO2VRWIKE