Artwork
Turkish Piquets
Turkish Piquets is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Turkish Piquets is a watercolour work whose exact year of execution is uncertain. Though signed 1865, the subject matter—Turkish cavalry in Eupatoria—aligns with the Crimean War period, making 1855 a more plausible date. The piece entered the collection in 1970 when Rodney Searight acquired it from the dealer Holder for nine pounds.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents two Turkish mounted soldiers in a formal formation, set against a barren, sun‑bleached plain. One rider bears a flag featuring a red stripe, while the other holds a long staff, suggesting a ceremonial or signaling role within the unit.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the artist renders the sky in a muted, washed‑out tone and the cracked earth with delicate, dry brushwork. The horses are depicted standing still, their legs spaced as if poised for movement, conveying a moment of quiet anticipation.
Context
Eupatoria, a strategic port on the Black Sea, hosted Ottoman forces during the Crimean conflict of the 1850s. The presence of Turkish cavalry there links the image to that campaign, reflecting contemporary military interest in the region.
Artist & collection
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![Mounted crusader [?] holding discussion with standing man, by Unknown](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/unknown--mounted-crusader-holding-discussion-with-standing-man--9b99697bca24a72f-w320.webp)
