Bashi-Bazouk (ca. 1868–69) - Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, 1824-1904)

Jean-Léon Gérôme's Bashi-Bazouk (ca. 1868–69) is a mesmerizing Orientalist portrait that captures the exotic allure and fierce character of a mercenary soldier in the Ottoman Empire. The painting showcases Gérôme's meticulous attention to detail, from the intricate patterns of the subject's embroidered vest to the weathered texture of his skin and the gleaming metal of his weaponry. The Bashi-Bazouk's piercing gaze and relaxed yet commanding posture exude both danger and quiet confidence, embodying the romanticized European vision of the Near East. Rendered with photographic precision against a muted, atmospheric background, the work highlights Gérôme's mastery of light and form. A quintessential example of 19th-century Orientalist painting, this striking portrait appeals to collectors of academic art and those fascinated by cross-cultural depictions of power and identity.