Orlovsky, Aleksandr Osipovich. Russian polish who loved to draw Cossacks and Bashkirs.

In search of paintings depicting soldiers of the Russian army during the Napoleonic wars, there were some interesting paintings of battle scenes by A. S. Orlowski (1777 - 1832).

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Being himself a participant in the battles of Orel is famous for the image of riders.
Here's an example how about it writes Pushkin.

Tents... graze ugly, shaggy horses, you are familiar with the beautiful drawings Orlovsky.

But personally for me it is not clear what the military personnel of military units portrayed by the artist.

As Wikipedia says in the part of the Russian army in 1812 consisted of the regiments of Cossacks.
So that was military who served in these parts.

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It looked like the officers of these parts.

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Now let's see a picture Orlovsky painted by him in 1809. It's called "bivouac of the Cossacks". For this picture the artist received the title of academician.

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This is what Cossacks are? And one in the background we see on the headdress of "the Sultan", like the officers pictured above.
Bearded men in Armani. Strange headgear.
On the rump near the horse barely visible some sign.
But at the time this picture did not cause any surprise, was even encouraged.

Here is another picture of the artist, which is called just a rider (and why not a Cossack?). drawn in the same 1809.

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Again, a coat, an elongated headdress and some kind of sign like a hieroglyph on the rump of the horse.
And why it is not visible for sabres.

But especially struck me another image of a Cossack.

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Amazing headpiece. And again with the hieroglyph on the rump of the horse.

Maybe Orlovsky was a dreamer? Yes, like no. Here is a very similar image to the hussars.

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Also, I came across a few paintings depicting the Bashkirs.
My curiosity is understandable as I live in Bashkiria.

Here is one of them. Which is called "Bashkir". The picture painted in 1808.

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Kind of like the Bashkirs the Bashkirs. A little confused by the bow and arrows. As long ago were armed with guns. Against guns, a bow like that strange war. And again the sign on the croup of the horse. It is a sign of division?
But I am a little surprised another image which is called "Rider of the Bashkirs".

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The artist sure nothing is messed up? The picture is clearly a mountaineer with wide eyes.
This is Bashkir?
When compared with photo, the Bashkir I personally think that does not look like.

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Although I can still find fault.
And I was somewhat surprised to see another picture of "the Four war sitting under the rock". Painted in 1829.

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This is what a knight is sitting in the foreground? After all, the days of knights are long gone.
Or not?
Next drawn is clearly Bashkirs.
Who is sketched by the artist? Assign to fantasy like always?

Only it is necessary to notice that this artist is at that time already worked at the General staff in the Department of development of military clothing. Why the knight's armor he suddenly had a vision.

Well, the possible answers can be read of my next posts.