MORE OF THE COPTIC LEGION
I would like to share with my readers another print from the Légion Cophte (Coptic Legion) group. This is a rare engraving, from c. 1835, shows Coptic (Copte), French (Français), and Greek (Grec) soldiers from the Armée d’Orient (Army of the Orient). The Copt is sitting on the ground, while the French and Greek are standing. Both Copts and Greeks formed legions during the French Expedition in Egypt (1798 – 1801), and their legions continued to function and fight side by side with the French troops, in Bonaparte’s European wars. This beautiful, black and white plate dates from c. 1835. Including fellahin women in the lower half of the plate, the whole planche measures 17 x 27 cm (including margins). The artist is unknown. The minaret and palm tree in the background gives up the country – Egypt.
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