Bashi-Bazouk
Gérôme’s Turkish title for this picture, which translates as "headless," evokes the poorly paid auxiliary soldiers who fought ferociously for plunder under Ottoman leadership. To create it, the artist posed a model in his Paris studio wearing garments and accessories he had acquired abroad.
Shortly after its completion, the present work was acquired by John Taylor Johnston (1820–1893), the first president of the Metropolitan Museum.
Artwork Details
- Title: Bashi-Bazouk
- Artist: Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, Vesoul 1824–1904 Paris)
- Date: ca. 1868–69
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 10 1/4 × 8 1/2 in. (26 × 21.6 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Kenneth Jay Lane, 2014
- Object Number: 2014.435.1
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.