Sculpture "Cossack with a banner"

The Standard-Bearer is an extraordinary bronze sculpture crafted by the renowned Russian sculptor Evgeny Alexandrovich Lancere (1848-1886). This piece captures the valiant image of a Kuban Cossack on a horse, proudly holding a banner in his right hand. This sculpture is known by several names in literature including Cossack with a banner, Standard-Bearer with a standard, and Cossack with a standard, reflecting its wide recognition and significance.

Evgeny Lancere, from a French family settled in Russia, was a self-taught artist. Direct exposure to the works of other sculptors and nature, coupled with his travels to Paris in 1867 and 1876 for studying artistic bronze casting, endowed him an exceptional eye for detail and complex artistry. The influences of his travel across central and southern Russia, Ukraine, Caucasus, Bashkiria, Kyrgyzstan, Crimea, and Algeria in 1883 are discernable in his diverse works. Lancere adeptly incorporated local histories and ethnographic elements into his sculptures, rendering a unique nationalistic hue to his creations.

Apart from his focus on the detailed depiction of figures in his sculptures, Lancere's works frequently reflect significant historical themes, most notably the Russian-Turkish War. His art effectively immortalizes the valor and strength of his characters, making them emblematic of their historical periods.

Inheriting his father's engineering skills, Lancere's modelling techniques made his sculptures stand out. The Standard-Bearer, cast in bronze, exemplifies Lancere's genius. Its intricately modelled figure of the Cossack, combined with his expressive depiction, unquestionably narrates a story of bravery, making it a must-have for any art collector or enthusiast.