Description: “Soldier” (AMRI/010)
This particular watercolor is a powerful depiction of a fully armored warrior and his horse, highlighting the deep connection between the Mongolian soldier and his mount, and focusing on the historical practice of barding (horse armor).
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Artist: Amarsanaa Galmandakh (b. 1974)
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Title: Soldier
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Medium: Watercolor
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Date: 2005
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Catalog No.: AMRI/010
Subject and Composition
The composition features a warrior standing beside his horse. Both figures are rendered in heavy, segmented armor, predominantly in a striking purple-blue and red color scheme.
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The Horse (Barded): The horse is the most visually dominant element, covered almost entirely in a suit of lamellar or scale armor (barding) colored in various shades of lavender and deep blue. This type of protective gear was historically crucial for Mongolian heavy cavalry, shielding the animal from arrows and lances. The horse’s headpiece (shaffron) is white/light gray, topped with a dramatic black crest or plume, giving it a fierce and ceremonial appearance.
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The Warrior: The soldier stands to the right, looking forward. He wears a full suit of armor that matches the horse’s, featuring long, segmental plates in purple-blue and red trim. His head is covered by a light green cap or headdress, which contrasts sharply with the metallic sheen of the armor.
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Weapons: The warrior is clearly an archer, with a quiver of arrows visible behind his shoulder and a composite bow held in his left hand. A sheathed sword hangs from his waist.
Style and Impact
The use of watercolor allows for both meticulous detailing in the armor plates and a soft, luminous quality to the light tones. The vibrant, historically-inspired colors and the focus on the fully-equipped lancer and his armored horse make this a compelling study of elite military forces from the Mongol Empire or its successor states.