Overall: 32m (12in) x 39cm (15.25in)
Watercolour on paper. Study of a Premier Empire Grenadier sentry in greatcoat and bearskin cap. Signed lower right. Framed and glazed.
Orlando Norie (1832-1901) belonged to a branch of the well-known family of Scottish painters, active in artistic life since the time of James Norie the Elder in the early eighteenth century. He is thought to have been taught by his father, Robert, a prosperous manufacturer and amateur artist who left Scotland for the continent in 1821, staying first in France and then for a long period in Belgium. The family returned to France in 1851 in much reduced circumstances, settling in Dunkirk, where Orlando was to remain.
Although Norie was known in France as a painter of everyday scenes and genre works, he is best remembered as a military illustrator working primarily in watercolour. His output was published widely and appeared on postcards, in magazines and regimental histories. His talent was first recognised in the autumn of 1854 when the London printmaking firm of Rudolf Ackermann published his picture of the Battle of the Alma. This was followed by prints of the Crimean battles of Inkermann and Balaclava, and later episodes of the Indian Mutiny. Ackermann’s Eclipse Sporting and Military Gallery served as the main outlet for many of Norrie’s original works. He was viewed as the natural successor to Henry Martens (fl.1825-1865) and received royal patronage from Queen Victoria.