'Zouave', 1854 (c)

Watercolour by Second Lieutenant William Thomas Markham (1830-1886), 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, 1854 (c).

Full length study of a bearded French zouave leaning on a rifle wearing a red fez with tassel, a blue jacket and red trousers.

The Zouaves were originally recruited from Algerian and Moroccan men from French North Africa. Although Europeans were increasingly recruited into the units they retained their North African style uniform, with baggy trousers, a short vest and jacket and fez or turban.

From an album of watercolours and sketches by Colonel William Markham, 1820 (c) and Second Lieutenant William Thomas Markham, 1854 (c).

Purchased with the assistance of the Society of Friends of the National Army Museum.