GENERAL BEKLEMISHEV NIKOLAI PETROVITCH (1814-1894) Habitation of a Kalmuk Prince

signed, inscribed and dated 'Habitation of a Kalmuk Prince .... near Astrakan 1858' (along the lower border) watercoulor on paper 23 x 31.5 cm (à vue) From 1851 to 1856, Beklemishev commanded the Ulanski regiment of His Imperial Highness the Heir Caesarevich; in 1853, he was promoted to the rank of major-general; in 1857, he was commander of the 6th brigade of the linear Cossack army of the Caucasus ; in 1858-1862, he was commander of the Astrakhan Cossack troops - ataman of the Astrakhan Cossack army. Mentioned by Alexander Dumas Père, during a trip to Russia, he spent the night at Lake Elton: '... There, I spent the night in a tent in the middle of the steppe and feasted with a charming man, Mr Beklemishev, ataman of the Astrakhan Cossacks... For dessert, Beklemishev gave me his hat, which in Paris would be an elegant muff...'