Albanian duel, Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps, ca. 1828

Alexandre-Gabriel DecampsFrench, 1803–1860

Albanian duel

ca. 1828 · Watercolour · 30 × 39.6 cm

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Not on view at present

Where is “Albanian duel” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.

Victoria and Albert Museum

London, United Kingdom

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked: 17 days ago
In this state since: Sep 25, 2026
Source: The museum

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About the work

War-like Albanians, dressed in flowing garments, festooned with daggers, pistols and swords, were a favourite subject for Romantic artists, and Byron chose to be represented in Albanian costume in his famous portrait by Thomas Phillips. In the early 19th century Albanians were alleged to be the fiercest section of the Ottoman forces, and indeed there are many travellers’ descriptions of their alarming appearance. In this watercolour, Descamps had focused on the tension between the two combatants as they glare fiercely at one another and parry with their distinctive short swords [hançer.] Each goads the other on while their cloaks and white kilts [fustan] swirl about them. The drama is echoed by the men and the galloping horses approaching from the background, hoping to intervene before the outcome proves fatal.

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Descamps’s oriental subjects resulted from a trip to Greece, Albania and Turkey in 1827-1828. When they were exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1831 onwards, they were highly acclaimed, and in his life time he became almost as famous as that better-known Romantic painter, Eugène Delacroix. Naturally, Descamps has here deliberately chosen a highly-charged subject that he knew would appeal to the Romantic ideas of his patrons, yet it is perfectly possibly that he did witness a duel such as this. Duelling caused by alleged slights of honour appeared frequently in many cultures, and indeed in that same year of 1829 the Duke of Wellington (in plainer costume) fought a duel with Lord Winchilsea in the swampy wasteland of Battersea Fields.

Victoria and Albert Museum