Karl Karlovich Pirate (1813, 1871) was a renowned battle painter, specializing in watercolor. He entered the Imperial Academy of Arts as a scholar of Emperor Nicholas I, where he studied under Professor A. Zauerweid. For his achievements, Pirate was awarded two gold medals in 1832 and 1834. In 1835, he received a small gold medal for the painting "Interior View of a Stable," but did not participate in the competition for the large medal due to assignments given to him by the Sovereign. In 1836, he graduated from the academy with a first-degree diploma and was appointed court painter to His Majesty with a salary of up to 3000 rubles a year. Two years later, he was involved in the historical description of the clothing and armament of the Russian army, and from then on, he focused on depicting figures in military uniforms and equipment. In 1855, with the establishment of the military chronicle editorial office in the Ministry of War, Pirate became the head of its drawing department. In the same year, for the painting "Riding Out," he was recognized as an academician, and in 1869, he received the title of professor without completing the traditional program. Pirate's works are distinguished by the elegance and subtlety of watercolor technique; however, they are little known to the general public, as they are mainly kept in imperial palaces and military department institutions.