Colonel of the 25th Infantry Regiment ‘Von Lutzow’ – Rhenish – Hohenzollern Overcoat by G. Arnold

*Colonel of the 25th Infantry Regiment “Von Lutzow” – Rhenish – Hohenzollern Overcoat*, a painting by G. Arnold, immerses us in the rich history of the 25th Infantry Regiment. This distinguished unit, officially known as the Infanterie-Regt. von Lützow (Rheinisches) Nr.25, traces its origins back to the Lützowisches Freikorps, a volunteer force formed in 1813 during the War of Liberation against French domination. Led by the charismatic Prussian officer Ludwig von Lützow, this diverse corps attracted volunteers from across Germany, including Austria and the Tyrol. Their improvised and captured uniforms, dyed black, earned them the nickname “Black Hunters” or Schwarze Jäger. Despite a high desertion rate, the Freikorps became renowned for bravery and action behind enemy lines. Notably, German political reformers, artists, and even two women – Eleonore Prochaska and Anna Lühring – served alongside the men. The legacy of the Lützowisches Freikorps endured, inspiring the mid-19th-century colors of the modern German flag. In 1815, the Freikorps disbanded, and its infantry contingent evolved into the 25th Infantry Regiment of the Prussian Army. This regiment saw action at the Battles of Ligny and Waterloo. Over time, it acquired the title von Lützow and became an integral part of German military history. *Colonel of the 25th Infantry Regiment “Von Lutzow” – Rhenish – Hohenzollern Overcoat* pays homage to this storied unit, bridging the past with artistic representation.