Unidentified Young Officer, British School, C. 1750–1780

Details

Description

A bust-length oil portrait of a young man, likely dating to the mid‑18th century (circa 1750–1780), depicting a distinguished officer … Read more A bust-length oil portrait of a young man, likely dating to the mid‑18th century (circa 1750–1780), depicting a distinguished officer or gentleman. He wears a dark, richly braided coat with gold lace, distinctive button arrangement, and decorative collar—set off by a fine frilled white cravat. The sitter’s smoothly powdered hair and serious yet youthful countenance reflect aristocratic or commissioned portraiture of the period.

The background is deep and somber, emphasizing the sitter’s face and gold-trimmed uniform, a typical aesthetic in British portraiture influenced by early Gainsborough, Allan Ramsay, and other mid-century portraitists.

The gilt frame, carved in a richly foliated Baroque‑Rococo style, appears likely later 19th‑century but matches the portrait’s aesthetic. Light craquelure and minor paint loss are visible, particularly on the right side of the sitter’s coat, consistent with age. The back shows traditional board and framing repairs, indicating later reframing and conservation.

Measures:

11" w x 11.5" h. See less