1831-1850 Pencil on cream wove paper, mounted on thin cream card
122 x 140 mm. Bequest: George Powell 1882
This portrait possibly relates to Vernet's 1845 battle scene 'La Prise de la Smala d'Abd el-Kader', in the collection of the Louvre, which celebrates the capture of Abd el-Kader (1807-1883) in 1843. Abd el-Kader was the head of Arab resistance to the French conquest of Algeria. The man in this portrait is titled as the 'chef' of the 'Premier Chasseurs d'Afrique', an Algerian based regiment, formed by Royal decree in 1831, which took part in the capture of Abd el-Kader. See WD435 and WD473 for other portraits which possibly relate to the 'Smala' battle scene
Portrait of a French military squadron leader. Three-quarter, head and shoulders portrait of a middle-aged bearded man with dark, side-parted hair and a moustache. He glances to his left towards the viewer. Tonal drawing with soft hatching. Foxing
