Francis Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds 

Benjamin West painted this portrait of Francis Osborne, the 5th Duke of Leeds, in England at a time when aristocratic power was both entrenched and under threat. Osborne is depicted here with the trappings of wealth, status, and political power. Note the sumptuous fabrics, the delicate lace, and the elaborate embroidery on his clothing. These visual codes signal Osborne’s privileged social position in late 18th century Britain. The image speaks to the subject's own sense of what it meant to be powerful. Yet, we can also ask what role the artist played in the construction of Osborne's persona. Was West complicit in promoting an outdated model of aristocratic authority? Or was he subtly critiquing it? To answer this question we might consult account books and letters that reveal the circumstances under which the painting was made. The tools of the social historian can help us to better understand the politics of imagery in this period.