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Colonel Alexander Dow (1735/6 - 1779)
Joshua Reynolds·1771
Historical Context
Portrait of Colonel Alexander Dow from 1771 by Joshua Reynolds at a National Trust property shows a British military officer in Mughal costume. Reynolds, the first president of the Royal Academy, elevated British portraiture to the level of continental grand manner painting. Reynolds built his portraits using multiple glazed layers over a warm imprimatura, blending Rembrandt's tonal depth with Van Dyck's aristocratic elegance—though his experimental use of bitumen and carmine often caused...
Technical Analysis
The portrait combines military bearing with exotic costume. Reynolds's handling demonstrates his Grand Manner approach to portraiture, combining individual likeness with elevated treatment.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the British officer wearing full Mughal costume — the East India Company's cultural encounter made visible in paint
- ◆Look at the rich textural handling of the elaborate Indian garments — different in character from European court dress
- ◆Observe how the military bearing persists underneath the exotic dress — posture communicates identity
- ◆Find the warm Reynolds palette applied without condescension to the Indian textiles and fabrics
- ◆Notice this as one of several Reynolds portraits exploring British encounters with non-European cultures through dress and costume
See It In Person
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