Lieutenant John James Douglas (later Captain Sir John James Scott-Douglas, Bt) (1792–1836), 15th (or The King’s) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars), c.1819

Raeburn's portrait of Lieutenant John James Douglas (later Captain Sir John James Scott-Douglas) in the uniform of the 15th King's Light Dragoons (Hussars) dates to around 1819 — the post-Waterloo period when military portraits celebrated Britain's victorious officers. The hussar uniform, with its distinctive pelisse and braided jacket, provided Raeburn with the decorative richness of a costume piece while the soldier's bearing called for his characteristic directness of characterization. Raeburn was Edinburgh's preeminent portraitist; military men returning from the Napoleonic Wars formed a significant portion of his late clientele.

Raeburn's 'square touch' — his method of applying paint in direct, confident strokes without glazing — is well suited to the hussar's extravagant uniform. The metallic braid and buttons catch light with brilliant exactness while the face is modeled with the psychological directness for which Raeburn was celebrated. The dark background throws the figure into sharp relief.