Portrait of Gustavus Hamilton, 2nd Viscount Boyne in Masquerade Costume 1731

Rosalba Carriera made this pastel portrait of Gustavus Hamilton, 2nd Viscount Boyne, sometime in the first half of the 18th century. Carriera was a Venetian artist, celebrated for her portraits of European aristocrats undertaking the Grand Tour. In this work, Hamilton is depicted in masquerade costume, reflecting a popular trend among the elites of the time. Masquerades, or masked balls, were extravagant social events that allowed participants to temporarily shed their identities and social roles. This portrait speaks to the culture of leisure and display among the aristocracy, but also to the fluidity of identity that was explored in art, literature, and social life. Carriera's technique, using delicate pastel strokes, creates a soft and flattering image, ideal for commemorating status and wealth. But it also tells us about the rise of academies which promoted certain artists, or the fashion for collecting art amongst elites. Social historians might research the patronage networks that supported artists like Carriera and the cultural values that shaped the tastes of her clientele.