The watercolors made in the 1860s-70s by Carl Piratsky (1813—1871) and his follower Pyotr Bashalov (1835? —1888) depict life in the Russian Army in the mid-19th century. They are a perfect fit for the Knights' Room, which also has commemorative military objects made by the House of Fabergé on display. The works of these two masters of the battle genre are not often found in museum collections, and little is known about the artists themselves. Nevertheless, both painters worked on commission to the emperor and enjoyed well-earned renown.
Designated the “court painter to His Majesty,” Carl Piratsky spent several years illustrating Alexander Viskovatov’s album Historical Descriptions of the Dress and Weapons of the Russian Armed Forces with Illustrations. In his final years, Pyotr Bashalov served as a draughtsman at the Military Intendant Department. Demonstrating their extensive knowledge of the nuances of military iconography, both painters recreated scenes from military life, each in his own way but with a common thread of refined mastery.