Dressed to Kill, Dressed to Till
Unknown artist, German School, last quarter of the 18th century. Three original watercolor studies of uniforms worn by troops of the Austrian Imperial Army during the reign of Emperor Joseph II ; watercolor and ink on laid paper, each 9 7/8 x 7 5/16 inches, “floated” within French mats within glazed, black, wooden frames, 17 ¾ x 14 in. Probably part of a larger series chronicling uniform regulations, these original drawings were prepared sometime between 1790-1799, based on both uniform details and the service history of the corps they depict. Two of the figural drawings represent the uniforms of the regular “German” line infantry: Infantry Regiment “Brechainville” after its commander, numbered No. 25 in the line and the “Schroder” or 26th Regiment. Both regiments were distinguished with green facings and linings to their single-breasted, natural white coats; those of the 25th were sea green and the 26th were described as “parrot green.” The Imperial line infantry had white breeches with tall, black gaiters and wore black caps trimmed with a brass frontplate bearing the cipher of Joseph II. The third drawing depicts the uniform worn by the Croatian or Grenzer (Eastern Borderlands) Artillery, who also wears a white uniform coat, but faced and lined with red. Grenzer troops had pointed rather than round cuffs to their coats and wore blue pantaloons tucked into half boots and many of them wore a high-topped shako, that flared out at top. His crossbelt bears a brass matchcase, which held the slow match that would be used for igniting the linstock steadied by his right hand. Colors fresh and paper in very good condition; not examined outside of the frames.
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