Oil on tin of a wounded Zouave soldier. American School, mid- to late 19th century. Sight 10 × 13 in.; framed 18 × 22 1/2 in. Faint signature at lower left recto; dimensions inscribed at upper verso.

A seated Zouave, one arm in a sling and the other raised—perhaps recounting the circumstances of his wound. He wears the classic ensemble: baggy serouel-style trousers, an embroidered jacket, and a red cap.

Although the painter remains unidentified, the work is clearly by a trained hand. Soft raking light models the figure and picks out the textures of the uniform, while the subject’s dynamic gesture adds drama to an otherwise spare setting.

Zouaves, celebrated for vivid red-and-blue uniforms with open-front jackets, baggy trousers, sashes, and fezzes, originated in the French Army in the 1830s. In the United States, Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth’s nationally touring drill company popularized the style and inspired numerous regiments, including the 11th New York (“Fire Zouaves”), 5th New York (“Duryee’s Zouaves”), and 114th Pennsylvania (“Collis’s Zouaves”); Confederate counterparts were raised in Louisiana, notably the 1st Special Battalion (“Louisiana Tigers”) and the 1st (Coppens’) Louisiana Zouave Battalion.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera] [Militaria, Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms]