No wonder it is said - it is better to see once than hear ten. That is why today in historical museums in the West, more and more often, next to the artifact itself, its replica made by a modern master is exhibited. The fact is that it is difficult for a non-specialist to imagine the real appearance of, say, an ancient rusty sword or a whole vase from broken shards. In one museum, his employees once showed me a Sarmatian sword and said: “You see, what a thick blade he has - 2 cm! How much did he weigh ?! " I had to explain to them that the thickness of the blade was hardly more than 5-8 mm at the handle, and towards the tip it decreased even more, and it became "thick" due to corrosion and loosening of the surface layer, which … mineralized over time! One can imagine those fables that they told tourists about the heavy 12-kilogram swords! And if there was a replica made by a professional next to it, 80% of the questions would disappear by themselves!
But such replicas are very expensive. But the drawings made by a professional artist are often not just informative, they also create a certain impression and allow you to remember what you need for a long time, if not forever (especially if you saw them in childhood!). Although, of course, drawing is a drawing, and an artist is an artist too. For example, I once needed an artist to illustrate another book. I went to my Penza artists and asked to indicate the person and … the person was indicated to me. A woman, a member of the Union of Artists and all that … The fact that a woman was not important to me: Christa Hook, for example, also draws warriors and draws them no worse than her father. I gave her a try to draw a "picture" with a knight. CHANGE THE POSITION WITH ALL DETAILS SAVING! It would seem, what is easier if you can draw? But no, in the drawing that was given to me, the belt buckle was already the belt itself, and there were a lot of such blunders! But next to her on the table was her handbag with almost the same buckle! So it is not enough to be a “member”, you also need to be able to draw a “change house” and be able to imagine the “little things” of that time, which is not easy at all.
That is why the artists who paint the warriors of the past can literally be counted on one hand in the West, and even their works differ in their quality and knowledge of the subject. For example, such a famous English artist as Angus McBride, known for his works. About how his works appeared for the publishing house "Osprey", just right to tell separately. He lived near Cape Town, where he had a studio, a stable and a paddock for horses. Naturally, college students also helped him. He put them on in sports leotards, put them in poses, put them on horses, after which he photographed and drew from the photo, and then “dressed” in whatever was needed. Hence the quality of the actual figures. Whereas even in the illustrations of the "Ospreyevsky" editions of some other artists with the proportions of the figures, not everything is all right.
Battle of Alesia. A. McBride
But there are spots on the Sun too. Here is his painting "The Battle of Alesia". This is when the Gauls from both sides tried to break through the fortifications of Caesar, who was besieging this city. Everything seems to be reliable. But … why did the legionnaire in the center raise his hand with his sword up? “Don't cut it! Stab! " - this was the main commandment of the Roman legionary in sword fighting, especially if he was in the ranks. That is, here you see either a half-trained legionnaire or … Angus, in a fit of feelings, simply forgot about it!
Legionnaires. Drawing by J. Rava.
And here is Giuseppe Rava, an Italian painter and miniaturist, inspired by the works of the same Angus McBride. The author of an amazing number of works, draws for the firms "Italeri", "Andrea Miniatures", "Emhar" and many others. Here is his work: "The Roman Legion on the Attack" and it has everything: the rank and file, and the standard bearer, and the centurion with a stick, and the commander. And everything seems to be correct, but … a legionnaire close to us, who took his hand back to throw his dart … He is wearing a red tunic! And he should have known that on this occasion there was a long controversy in the English historical journals, the purpose of which was to find out what color the tunics of the legionnaires were. And they found out - white, the color of unbleached linen! And only the centurions and praetorians - red, but the ship's team ("marines") - blue. Moreover, both of them painted with the juice of purple napkins, but in different concentrations. Shields were painted in the same way, the outer surface of which was very often simply covered with linen, which made it … the same color as the tunics! And now, in support of the illustration by Angus McBride - "The Romans are landing in Britain." Legionnaire in white tunic, centurion in red!
The Romans land in Britain. Painting by A. McBride.
Spy fee. A high-ranking Roman officer, dressed so as not to attract attention, in a simple tunic with a soldier's belt, gives "30 pieces of silver" to the local Judas. Northern England, 1st century AD Painting by A. McBride
Roman auxiliaries in the forest during the Second Dacian War 105 AD Painting by A. McBride.
And here is another very revealing work by Angus McBride, testifying to how carefully he worked with sources. On it, Roman auxiliaries - riders from the Celtic cavalry slaughter Marcomanians-Germans, I - II centuries. AD The fact is that during the campaign to Dacia the legionnaires were forbidden to “hunt for heads”. But … on Trajan's column there are several images of soldiers of precisely auxiliary units with their heads cut off, which they hold not only in their hands, but even in their teeth! And … they show their trophies to Trajan. And judging by the fact that this scene hit the column, there was nothing "like that" about it. Like, what can you get from these savage allies! And pay attention - on one chain mail with a scalloped hem, on the other a scaly shell. Typical equipment of auxiliaries horsemen from Trajan's Column.
Roman Celts auxiliaries kill Germanic Marcomanians. A. McBride.
But J. Rava, apparently, did not look at the bas-reliefs from Trajan's column at all, although they are at his side - in Rome, in the “square Colosseum”. Why did he put on his right hand an iron “pipe” made of plates to “his legionnaires”? None of the figures of Roman soldiers from Trajan's Column have such a piece of armor!
The Romans are fighting the Dacians. Painting Lzh. Rava.
The works of Peter Connolly are considered classics, because he not only painted, but also wrote. For example, his legionnaire of the 1st century. BC. with an oval scutum shield and a kulus helmet, as well as chain mail with shoulder pads. This drawing has become, one might say, a textbook image, although, in my opinion, the shield looks too thin along the edge.
Legionnaire of the 1st century BC. P. Connolly.
Another legionnaire of the same time in a Montefortine helmet. Here Peter Connolly again drew a red tunic and a shield, but this drawing appeared before this question was closed.
It should be noted that even before these artists, the British had very good "Roman draftsmen", for example, such an artist as Ronald Embleton, even if he painted them all in red tunics and even pants! Although this paint was very expensive and for the entire Roman army, especially for trousers, it simply would not be enough for everyone!
Meeting of ambassadors. R. Ambleton.
Roman officers of the 1st century AD R. Ambleton
But this reconstruction of the Roman clibanarium was carried out by Ronald Embleton based on a find in Dura Europos, where just such a horse armor was found. Well, he also did not come up with all the other details of the armor. They are in museums. Here are just a shield … He has a very big one. Another British historian and designer Mike Simkins portrayed his exactly the same warrior with a hexagonal shield, but which of them is right and who is "more right", alas, it is impossible to say for sure.
Klibanarius. R. Ambleton
The Roman slingers were also mercenaries. They themselves did not hinder themselves with such a thing as throwing stones. But to shoot with a scorpion, onager or ballista - why not. In this they saw nothing shameful for themselves!
Scorpio and slingers. R. Ambleton.
So many people are trying to draw Roman soldiers in the West, both in Italy and in England, and in other countries. But as always, "the devil hides in the little things." Here, for example, is an image of a Roman legionnaire in the form of a "Marian mule" by Christos Gianopoulos from Greece. Everything seems to be fine, but you can clearly see that his shield is too wide. He was big and heavy anyway, and Christos must have something completely overwhelming!
Bas-relief from Trajan's Column.
