Peter Beckford 1766

Pompeo Batoni painted this portrait of Peter Beckford, an English plantation owner and writer, in the 18th century. Beckford’s confident pose, coupled with his lavish attire, reflects the opulence enjoyed by the British elite due to colonial exploitation and the Transatlantic slave trade. The sculpture to Beckford’s left is an allegorical figure, possibly representing melancholia or reflection, creating a stark contrast. The Black presence is conspicuously absent, yet central to this image. Beckford benefitted from the suffering and forced labor of enslaved people on his family's plantations in Jamaica, highlighting the complex relationship between wealth, privilege, and race during this era. Batoni's portrait memorializes Beckford's status, but it also serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of empire. The quiet sadness of the sculpture and the loyal gaze of the dog underscore the moral contradictions inherent in Beckford’s identity.