[Kriegs-Scenen bei Dresden; nach der Natgur gezeichnetund radirt] Series I & II.
ALEXANDER SAUERWEID [1783-1844]

32 etched plates of battle scenes, charges, encampments, baggage trains, fencing, etc; uncut edges, some spotting, particularly on margins.

There is a set of these etchings of military scenes drawn near Dresden in the Bibliotheque Nationale (D06057) which is accompanied by a sheet with labels of the title and the imprint pasted on it, but probably no actual title- page was issued. To view these labels and all the etchings follow this link: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b84273492/f1.itemThe first series are unnumbered, and the second series are numbered on the plates 1-16.From the collection of William Y. Carman [1909-2003], the noted military historian and authority on military uniforms, with his manuscript list of plates loosely inserted. This list refers to the subject of the plates and gives details of the regimental costumes with dates.Over this period, the army of Saxony underwent many reforms including changes to uniforms. At the battle of Jena in 1805, when the Saxony army fought with the Prussians against the French, they were heavily defeated, and subsequently France occupied Saxony. In the War of the Fifth Coalition in 1809, Saxony fought with France against the Austrians. These etchings are an important record of the changes in the uniforms brought about the reforms, which recast the army along French lines and involved changes in the number and type of regiments.This series was copied by the English engraver Edward Hull [fl.1815-1830]; an hand-coloured etched copy of plate 26 of Saxon Sharpshooters is loosely inserted.Alexander Ivanovich Saurweid of German descent was born at Courland, then an independent duchy under Russian influence, and now part of Latvia. He is a most interesting artist who journeyed widely. He went to the St Petersburg Academy of Arts in 1790 and continued his studies in Dresden from 1806 to 1811, where he became proficient in the graphic arts. He was commissioned to paint some of Napoleon?s horses. He travelled to Paris and London. Thomas Clay published one of his etchings in 1815. Subsequently, two large engravings with key plates were made by H.R Cook of his pictures of the Battle of Waterloo. On returning to Russia, he made portraits of Russian soldiers and gave drawing lessons to Grand Dukes and Duchesses. He taught a course in battle scene painting at the St Petersburg Academy, later being made a professor, and becoming, in 1831, the Academy?s director. Many of his paintings are in Russian museums.