The Zouave
1864
Edwin Forbes sketched this weary soldier during the American Civil War, capturing the distinctive look of the famous Zouave units. Those baggy, balloon-like trousers were the signature style of these troops, originally inspired by French North African infantry who were known for their flashy, exotic uniforms. As an official artist for the Army of the Potomac, Forbes worked right on the front lines, giving his drawings a raw, immediate energy. You can almost feel the heavy weight of that rolled-up bedroll on the soldier's back as he stands in profile, looking off into the distance.
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