L'ultimo ussaro 最後の軽騎兵

In the shadows of Venice, where centuries of history linger behind weathered stone walls and forgotten doorways, a solitary figure stands as though he has stepped out of another age.

He is the Last Hussar.

Dressed in the magnificent regalia of a nineteenth-century cavalryman, his uniform tells a story of military splendour, tradition and honour. Elaborate golden braiding adorns his scarlet and midnight-blue tunic, while a towering fur headdress and richly decorated pelisse recall an era when soldiers were as recognisable for their flamboyant appearance as for their courage on the battlefield.

His white-gloved hands rest upon the hilt of his sabre. His expression is composed, dignified and quietly contemplative. Beneath the grandeur of his uniform lies the face of a man who seems to have witnessed the passage of generations.

There is something profoundly theatrical, yet deeply human, about his presence.

The hussars were once among Europe’s most celebrated cavalrymen, renowned for their daring, elegance and distinctive uniforms. From the battlefields of the Napoleonic era to the ceremonial traditions of European armies, they became enduring symbols of military pageantry and aristocratic splendour.

Yet in this portrait, there is no battlefield, no charging cavalry and no triumphant procession.

There is only silence.

Against the darkness, the brilliant scarlet, black and gold of his costume emerge like the colours of an Old Master painting. The restrained lighting reveals every intricate cord, every fold of fur and every line upon his weathered face, transforming a moment of Carnevale into an intimate encounter with history.

The Last Hussar explores the relationship between history, identity and the passage of time. Through the extraordinary tradition of the Venice Carnevale, a forgotten world is momentarily brought back to life, not as a museum exhibit, but as a living, breathing presence.

For a fleeting moment, the boundaries between past and present disappear.

And in the shadows of Venice, the Last Hussar stands his final watch.

The Venice Carnevale is not solely about masks. Local Italians and an increasing number of foreign costumers now prefer historical and non masked costumes or painted faces. During Carnevale, the whole Venice becomes a real life theatrical stage, and many of these non masked costumes carry deep perspectives...

The portraits were done on the busy streets of Venice during the Venice Carnevale, and as always, using only natural lighting.

This, is the real Venice Carnevale...