1810 Hand-Coloured Engraving - Tatar Peasants of the Crimean Peninsula
Description: This 1810 hand-coloured copperplate engraving from Carl Bertuch's "Bilderbuch für Kinder" ("Picture Book for Children") presents a lively scene of Tatar peasants in the Crimean Peninsula (modern-day Ukraine). The engraving captures rural daily life in vivid detail, depicting various activities that reflect the agricultural lifestyle of the region.
In the foreground, a peasant, smoking a pipe, points while instructing a child, creating an engaging snapshot of a family scene. Nearby, a woman, dressed in traditional clothing, is shown milking a dairy cow, demonstrating the importance of livestock to the community's economy. To the left, a farmer leads two Bactrian camels pulling a hay wagon, showcasing the use of these hardy animals for heavy labor and transportation in the region.
The background features thatched-roof homes, with a minaret rising above them, symbolizing the cultural influence of Islam in the region. The peaceful pastoral setting, with cows grazing and a well in the foreground, further emphasizes the agricultural way of life. The detailed hand-colouring adds vibrancy to the scene, highlighting the distinct attire and activities of the Crimean Tatar...
Category
1790s Antique Rowlandson and Pugin Furniture