2-995-991 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

General Garibaldi - from a portrait by Orsani, 1860. 'Garibaldi, the champion of Italian liberties...The picture is striking from the extreme simplicity of the treatment - neither of the hands being seen, no attempt at attitudinising being dreamed of - all the interest being centred in the noble head, with its fine expanse of forehead, intelligent, thoughtful eye, and that firm mouth, which seems to have been made to command and to inspire confidence, as it compels ready obedience. The General is habited in a green uniform, with the Italian tricolour sash thrown across the shoulders, at the back of which loosely hangs a fur cloak...What he may look like when roused may best be described by those who have seen him, but when in repose there is great serenity in his countenance and a quiet contrasting with the noise and good humour of the fire- eaters who are around him...He walks with a step so rapid that his youngest aides-de-camp have the greatest difficulty in keeping up with him. This quickness of step images the quickness of all his movements, military or political, as the course of the present expedition proves'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.