Portrait Of Captain Robert Haldane, Of Gleneagles 1705 - 1767

Joshua Reynolds painted this portrait of Captain Robert Haldane, of Gleneagles, in England, sometime in the latter half of the 18th century. Reynolds was the most prominent portrait painter of his day. He produced images of the British elite for public display in the exhibitions of the Royal Academy, which he helped found. This image creates meaning through the visual codes of class, power, and masculinity. Haldane's red military uniform, his sword, and confident pose are all carefully constructed to convey authority. The background landscape and stormy sky suggest a romantic sensibility, in keeping with the fashions of the day. The portrait is a product of a society with a strong sense of hierarchy and the importance of military service. Historians can use resources such as letters, diaries, and financial records to learn more about the lives of both the artist and the sitter, and to better understand the social and institutional contexts in which the portrait was made and viewed.