Thomas Nast - The Little Zouave - Capsule Auctions

February 10, 2020

Lot 12

German / American (1840-1902)

The Little Zouave (1862)

Medium

oil on canvas

Dimensions

23 x 23 inches

Signature

signed lower right

Estimate: $2,500 - $5,000

Price Realized: $5,625
Includes buyer's premium

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Frame Information: frame dimensions: 26 x 26 inches
Provenance: From the collection of J.N. Bartfield Galleries
Condition: very good condition, appears to be relined, appears to be repaired, medium is well attached to the support
Notes: The Zoaves were a group of American volunteer soldiers from the Union side of the Civil War. They adopted the colorful uniform of the French Zoaves who fought in the Algerian campaigns in 1830s who were known for their bravery and obviously, their striking outfits.,,Formed by Elmer Ellsworth in Illinois in 1860, the U.S. Zouave Cadets of Chicago were the first such militia formed. They performed drills and toured twenty cities that year. Their presence inspired the formation of dozens of similar units, most notably the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, with whom Nast would have been familliar.,,The present painting is dated 1862, a time when there was most likely more Northern zeal for the conflict than in later years. Here we see a young boy dressed in a child's Zoave uniform. He is 'reporting for duty' to his mother and baby sister. Missing, of course, is the father who is undoubtedly off to war and likely in a Zoave regiment.,,Thomas Nast the German-born illustrator is known primarily for his caricatures and cartoons for Harper's Weekly during the Civil War. He did however execute some serious easel paintings related to the conflict.