Cavaliers in Art

Of all the themes that I collect when it comes to art imagery,  paintings that feature Cavaliers are some of my favourite.  There's something about their colourful gear and rakish charm that exudes excitement and flavour.  This kind of fighting man, of course,  is most well known from Alexandre Dumas' most-classic novel THE THREE MUSKETEERS,  but they're all over the map in western European literature and art.  The wide-brimmed hat,  the puffy shirts with the frilled collars,  brightly coloured clothing,  knee boots,  long, curly hair and pointed chin beard and mustaches, with the addition of the deadly rapier,  all are the hallmarks of their flashy image.  I think of today's concept of masculinity and there is much in conflict there with the way these many fellows present themselves. 

Can you imagine a macho guy like Russell Crowe, or the MMA champ Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell walking around in a frilly collar and silk knee-britches?  I really can't.  Yet,  the Cavalier brings this look off with a Byronesque charm edged with deadly seriousness.  Flash and dash to the extreme, and for the second post in a row,  I invoke the name Errol Flynn (read the other post HERE) to illustrate my point.  Style, masculinity and badassness all in one.

I hope you enjoy these!