Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Attributed to Francesco Casanova (1727-1803), A Mamluk fighting , watercolor

circa 1799

About the Item

Attributed to Francesco Casanova (1727-1803), A Mamluk fighting on his horse, watercolor and ink on paper 35 x 26 cm In quite good condition : yellowed by time as visible on the photographs. Vintage frame with little damages (see photographs please), the mat and the back have been recently changed. 54 x 44 cm The first indication about attribution was given by the name indicated on the vintage frame with what could look as a mistake about the date of death of the artist, if the exact date of Francesco Casanova'death was not known with certainty. It's estimated he died at the beginning of the 19th century, Maybe in 1803, 1805 or as late as 1807. The style and execution are really close to the artist's known compositions, the way he draws the horse for example. Francesco Giuseppe Casanova was an Italian painter who specialised in battle scenes. His older brother was Giacomo Casanova, the famous adventurer, and his younger brother was Giovanni Casanova; also a well-known painter. He was born in London, and returned to Venice when he was still young,upon his brother Giovanni's advice, he went to Paris and became an apprentice of Charles Parrocel. As a result of favourable criticism from Denis Diderot, he began to receive commissions from the aristocracy. His fame soon spread eastward and he received commissions from Catherine the Great for the Hermitage, beginning in 1768. Two years later, he produced his four famous "disaster paintings", which were purchased by Jean-Benjamin de la Borde on behalf of King Louis XV. Despite his success and his many aristocratic clients, he squandered his money, was perpetually in debt, and died in poverty at his home near Mödling. The year is generally given as 1803, although some sources have 1805 or 1807. The subject is also very interesting: this watercolor depicts a Mamluk, a term most commonly referring to non-Arab slave-soldiers and freed slaves to which were assigned military and administrative duties, serving the ruling Arab dynasties in the Muslim world. They are better known to have fought against Napoleon Bonaparte in Egypt, approximately at the time this artwork was painted. Napoleon later formed his own Mamluk corps, the last known Mamluk force, in the early years of the 19th century, and used Mamluks in a number of his campaigns. Napoleon's famous bodyguard Roustam Raza was also a Mamluk who had been sold in Egypt. We can easily recognize the oriental uniform of the cavalier with his characterisitic hat.
  • Attributed to:
    Francesco Giuseppe Casanova (1727 - 1802, Italian)
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1799
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.78 in (35 cm)Width: 10.24 in (26 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
    1790-1799
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Paris, FR
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Inv 4321stDibs: LU111228789962
More From This SellerView All
You May Also Like
  • The Matador
    By Elaine de Kooning
    Located in Palm Desert, CA
    "The Matador" is a gouache on paper by Elaine de Kooning. The artwork is signed lower left, "E. de K." The framed piece measures 15 3/8 x 17 1/4 x 3/4 in....
    Category

    1950s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Paper, Gouache

  • Porcelain Elephant - Original Drawing - Early 20th Century
    Located in Roma, IT
    Porcelain Elephant is an original drawing realized by Unknown Artist in early 20th Century. Beautiful colored watercolour and china ink drawing on ivory-colored paper. Includes pass...
    Category

    Early 20th Century Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Watercolor

  • Jugglers and Horse Giocolieri e Cavallo
    By Marino Marini
    Located in London, GB
    MARINO MARINI 1901-1980 Pistoia, Italy 1901-1980 Viareggio, Italy (Italian) Title: Jugglers and Horse Giocolieri e Cavallo, 1943 Technique: Double-sided Hand Signed and Dated Pencil, Watercolour and Gouache on Thin Card Paper size: 49 x 34.5 cm. / 19.3 x 13.6 in. Additional information: This pencil, watercolour and gouache work is hand signed and dated in pencil by the artist "Locarno 1943 Marino" in the lower left image. It is also signed in ink "Marino" in the lower right image. The drawing was created in Locarno in 1943. Furthermore, there is a sketch of Horse...
    Category

    1940s Animal Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Gouache, Watercolor, Pencil

  • Scottish Cats Playing Golf Midcentury Watercolor Signed Initials
    Located in FR
    Scottish Cats Playing Golf Midcentury Watercolor with Signed Initials Watercolor The original has been stuck to an old Print, not related ! Will be deliv...
    Category

    1950s Other Art Style Animal Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Watercolor, Cardboard

  • Liber Mystia XLIII
    By Henry Hablak
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    "Liber Mystia XLIII" is an original artwork by Henry Hablak made of gouache, ink, and colored pencil on paper measuring 16.25"h x 12.25"w framed and 14"h x 11"w unframed. Henry Habl...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Paper, Gouache, Color Pencil

  • Fawn
    By Henry Hablak
    Located in Philadelphia, PA
    "Fawn" is an original ink, colored pencil, and gouache on paper artwork by Henry Hablak measuring 30"h x 22"w. Henry Hablak is a tattoo artist and illustrator based out of Philadel...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Animal Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Ink, Color Pencil, Gouache, Paper

Recently Viewed

View All