Hussaar No. 6 - Johannes Paulus Houtman

A detailed hand-coloured engraving of a mounted hussar in full uniform, captured in a dynamic galloping pose.

This hand-coloured engraving by Johannes Paulus Houtman depicts a mounted hussar, a light cavalry soldier, in full uniform. The figure is shown in a dynamic pose, seated upon a galloping horse, with a sabre raised in his right hand. The uniform is characteristic of the period, featuring a dolman jacket with elaborate braiding, a shako, and a pelisse draped over the left shoulder. The horse is rendered in a naturalistic manner, captured in mid-stride, with its hooves barely touching the ground.

The composition is clean and focused, typical of military costume studies intended for documentation or uniform reference. The artist employs a clear, linear style, using fine lines to define the contours of the rider and the horse, while the hand-applied colour provides a sense of volume and material texture. The blue of the uniform contrasts with the brown tones of the horse, while the yellow accents on the shako and jacket add a sense of military precision.

Below the figure, the title 'Hussaar No. 6' is inscribed in a cursive script, indicating that this work is part of a larger series documenting military dress. The background is left plain, which directs the viewer's attention to the details of the equipment and the posture of the rider. Such prints were common in the nineteenth century, serving as visual records for military enthusiasts and historians interested in the evolution of cavalry uniforms. The work remains a clear example of the technical precision required in military illustration, where accuracy in depicting buttons, braiding, and weaponry was of primary importance.