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Saddles and battle-axes

Anonymous Greek artist

1809

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century History Painting

Dominant colour

Saddles and battle-axes is a 1809 watercolor by Anonymous Greek artist, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Anonymous Greek artist
When & what style?: 1809 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

The story of this work

Overview

This series of works, attributed to an anonymous Greek artist, was commissioned by Stratford Canning during his diplomatic mission to Istanbul in 1808. The artist’s style merges Ottoman water and bodycolour techniques with European perspective and representation. The drawings were later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1895 from Canning’s daughter. Originally bound in a volume, the set was purchased for 10 Guineas.

Read the full account in the museum source.