Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby 1870

James Tissot painted this oil on canvas portrait of Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby in England. This portrait captures a moment of leisure, with Burnaby reclining on a sofa with books and smoking, while dressed in uniform. Burnaby’s attire connects him to the British Empire, of which he was a proud and active member. The map in the background underscores the global reach of that empire. He was known for his adventurous spirit and military exploits, but also for his controversial political views, and support of colonial expansion, reflecting the complex and often problematic aspects of Victorian masculinity and imperialism. Tissot, a French artist living in London, may have been drawn to Burnaby as a symbol of British power and masculinity, while perhaps also subtly critiquing the culture of imperialism through the depiction of Burnaby’s languid pose. This portrait encapsulates the intertwined nature of personal identity and broader socio-political forces, inviting us to reflect on the legacies of colonialism.