A Baltaci[?], or Palace guard

Anonymous Greek artist

1809

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century

About this work

This painting shows a Palace guard called a Baltaci. It’s a watercolour from around 1809 by an unknown Greek artist. The guard carried a wood-cutting axe in his belt. This was normal for junior ranks, who supplied firewood for the Palace. The picture was part of a big series made for British diplomat Stratford Canning during his time in Istanbul in 1808. Check out more works by the Anonymous Greek artist.