Portrait Of General Giles 

Joseph Wright of Derby rendered this oil on canvas portrait of General Giles sometime in the late 18th century. Wright was known for his mastery of light and shadow, and here, he uses layers of glazes to build up the general’s complexion and the textures of his clothing. Look closely, and you can see how Wright depicts the fine weave of the general’s coat, the delicate frills of his linen, and the sheen of his medal. The artist’s skillful handling of paint elevates the general’s status, but it’s worth considering the social context of this portrait. It's possible to imagine the labor involved in producing the raw materials - the linen, the wool - and the skilled work of tailors, wigmakers, and jewelers required to outfit a man of the general’s rank. Wright’s portrait not only captures an individual likeness, but also gives us a glimpse into the complex networks of production and consumption that defined 18th-century society.