Second Lieutenant George Crawford, Royal Artillery

This 1800 portrait of Second Lieutenant George Crawford at the National Army Museum records a young Royal Artillery officer during the Napoleonic Wars. Raeburn’s military portraits document the Scottish officers who served in the British Army during this crucial period of European conflict. Raeburn's distinctive 'square touch' technique applied oil paint in bold, direct strokes without underdrawing, building characterizations through decisive marks that gave his portraits an unusual physical...

The young officer’s uniform is rendered with attention to military detail. Raeburn captures youthful military confidence through direct gaze and the bold handling characteristic of his portrait technique.