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Title
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Portrait of Juan Palarea y Blanes
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Rights
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The British Museum, public domain
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Creator
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Unknown
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Date
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1813
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Description
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The Peninsular wars (1808-1814) was the longest continuing conflict of the Napoleonic Wars, Former French ally Spain, revolted following the removal of the Spanish crown and the placement of Napoleon's brother Joesph, Guerrilla movements began to take part in the war, ambushing and raiding French troops.
Depicted in the photo is Juan Palarea y Blanes "The Doctor" a Spanish doctor and soldier who became a guerrilla leader during the Spanish War of Independence, coming from a well off texile merchant family, he received upper levels of education becoming a doctor in Madrid. Following the war, he organized a militia movement starting with only 14 men. He and his militia took part in several major battles and skirmishes of the Peninsular campaign. He rose through the ranks of his unit, becoming the commander of the Hussars, and brigadier general. He was known to execute French soldiers he captured, and cut a ear of spies.
He is wearing a French style Hussar uniform in red and blue, which uniformed Spanish light calvary militias wore these colors.
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Format
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paper
painted
Height: 278 mm
Width: 525 mm
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Language
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Spanish
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Publisher
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The British Museum
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Contributor
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Timothy Jackson
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Identifier
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The British Museum, 1887,1010.20
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Subject
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Napoleonic Wars; France; 1800s;19th Century; Officer; military; uniform; hussar
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Source
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jpeg file, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1887-1010-20
Spanish Hussar