A Mounted Pandour
possibly German School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1730 - 1769
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
298 x 230 mm
Order this imageCollection
Felbrigg, Norfolk
NT 1401183
Caption
The Pandours were ferocious irregulars from Croatia, whose notoriety received a favourable gloss in 1741, when they were formed into a corps by Freiherr von der Trenck, to defend the throne of the Empress Maria Theresa. This was formerly attributed to an Italian artist, but the style is more reminiscent of a German artist, such as August Querfurt (1696-1761). It was possibly acquired by William II Windham of Felbrigg on his travels in Europe.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, A Mounted Pandour, possibly by German School, mid 18th century. The Hussar, wearing a red turban and holding a scimitar, is mounted on a horse which faces left of the painting, wild sky in background. Label on reverse 'Boswell and Sons, London St, Norwich'. Companion to P/74. Almost certainly picked up by William Windham II on his travels, which may have taken him to eastern Europe. Reminiscent of a German artist such as August Querfurt (1696-1761). The Pandours were ferocious irregulars from Croatia, whose notoriety received a favourable gloss in 1741, when they were formed into a corps by Freiherr von der Trenck, to defend the throne of the Empress Maria Theresa.
Provenance
Part of the Windham Collection. The hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1969 by Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1906-1969)
Makers and roles
possibly German School, artist previously catalogued as attributed to Francesco Giuseppe Casanova (London 1727 - Vienna 1803), artist