Del Prado Old Guard Artilleryman 1811: A Gunner Under the Bearskin

Del Prado · Napoleonic Wars · France, 1811

Tall dark headgear, a dark uniform and strong white cross-belts give this Old Guard artilleryman an imposing appearance. The subject broadens a Guard display beyond grenadiers and officers while keeping its familiar visual character.

The Guard had its own artillery

The Imperial Guard included artillery as well as infantry and cavalry. Its Old Guard foot artillery regiment dated from 1808, so an 1811 gunner belongs to an established branch within the growing institution. The word “Guard” should not lead collectors to file every dark-coated bearskin figure as a grenadier.

That distinction makes the model useful even in a small collection. It lets a shelf show different functions within one military organisation, rather than simply repeat the same infantry subject in several poses.

A strong front view

The dealer photograph shows a tall cap above a nearly continuous dark coat and trousers. White belts cross prominently over the chest, and red accents appear at the headgear and clothing edges. The stance is narrow and controlled, with the arms close to the body.

The resulting design reads clearly at a distance. Up close, the edges of the belts and cuffs do more work than the tiny facial features. When comparing examples, look for the same balance of headgear, torso and legs before judging subtle differences in painted colour.

Handling and display

Ask for photographs of the rear and both sides of the cap. Its dark surface can conceal flattened texture or touch-ups. Check the belt cross, cuff edges and boot fronts for chips that stand out under stronger light.

A French artilleryman dated 1805 makes a useful comparison in headgear and presentation, while a transport driver introduces another part of the same military work. Give each a clear date label. Leaving a small gap around this figure’s tall cap allows its outline to remain distinct among more elaborate plumes and flags.

When photographing several dark-uniformed figures together, leave a narrow gap between their shoulders. Otherwise the coats can merge into one mass and the white straps become the only readable detail. The artilleryman’s tall cap is particularly effective against a plain, medium-light background that still leaves its surface texture visible.

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