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Male figure in military uniform [Bray album]

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Date

late 18th century

Description

No. 71 of 74. This appears to be a drawing of an military officer in a plain greenish greatcoat, with a cane and in riding boots. Since it is associated with two other drawings of apparently Russian and other European soldiers it may also show a non-British figure, though the practice of carrying both a cane and a sword was an English fashion. This is one four of the Bray drawings which have the distinctive 'frame', suggesting they have been transferred from another group. All are probably later than the main 1770s group both from the costume and style, which is more finished. They are among 73 drawings by Bray (plus one signed 'NF 1782') preserved in a 19th-century album. They have now been separately remounted. Bray (1750-1823), was second lieutenant of the 44-gun ‘Pallas’ under Captain the Hon. William Cornwallis (1744-1819) – later a well-known admiral - on two voyages (1774-77) to report on British interests in West Africa, including the slave trade. The dated drawings refer only to the first of these, from December 1774 to September 1775, though a few may be from the second. Others comprise country views, some of Deal, Kent (where Bray may have come from), and others of social-history interest.

Image Licence

CC BY-NC-ND

Image Credit

Location

England

Country

England

Medium

Watercolour