Portrait of a French Second Empire Dragoon c. 1860 - 21¾" x 15"

This oil on canvas presents a full-length portrait of a French Second Empire dragoon, shown standing before a rustic gate in a wooded landscape. The soldier wears parade dress with a scarlet tunic detailed with gilt buttons and fringed epaulettes, a white crossbelt with eagle boss, and black riding trousers finished with high cavalry boots. His brass helmet carries a leopard-skin band and tall red plume, while a sabre hangs at his side and a musket rests by his boot, the white gloves adding a formal note. The palette balances vivid scarlet with deep blacks, warm brass, and soft earth tones, and the brushwork is confident and naturalistic. The canvas is apparently unsigned and is in very good condition with light surface wear, gentle age toning, and minor edge scuffs consistent with careful display.

Dragoon regiments under Napoleon III served as versatile mounted troops, a legacy of their origins as soldiers who fought on horseback yet could dismount to fire, which explains the pairing of sabre and firearm. The ornate helmet with leopard-skin band and plume signals parade or officer dress and reflects the pageantry of the Second Empire, when uniforms combined practicality with ceremonial splendor.

This commanding yet intimate portrait suits a library, study, or entry where its strong color and disciplined stance create a focal point. It pairs well with dark woods, campaign furniture, and brass-mounted accessories, or can temper a contemporary interior with a note of history. Hung above a mantel or console and flanked by military prints or regimental trophies, it adds character and narrative to both traditional and tailored modern schemes.