Russian Cuirassiers 1816

"Russian Cuirassiers" is an etching by Johann Christoph Erhard from 1816. The print, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts three Russian cuirassiers, a type of cavalry soldier who wore breastplates, standing in a field. The scene captures the detail and realism of military dress, emphasizing the regality of the mounted soldier and the imposing nature of his armor. This artwork is a good example of the genre of military art, often created to commemorate or celebrate military victories.