Artwork
Admiral Harry Paulet (1719/20–1794), Sixth Duke of Bolton
Admiral Harry Paulet (1719/20–1794), Sixth Duke of Bolton is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Samuel Cotes. It dates from 1765 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Francis Cotes completed this oil portrait of Harry Powlett, the Sixth Duke of Bolton, in 1765.
About this work
Overview
Francis Cotes completed this oil portrait of Harry Powlett, the Sixth Duke of Bolton, in 1765. The painting captures Powlett, an admiral in the Royal Navy, in formal attire. This work is a notable example of Cotes's portraiture from the mid-18th century. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant piece of British art from the period.
Subject & Meaning
He stands confidently, dressed in an elaborate blue and gold military coat, complete with intricate trim and lace cuffs, and a powdered white wig.
The portrait features Harry Powlett, the Sixth Duke of Bolton, depicted as a high-ranking naval officer. He stands confidently, dressed in an elaborate blue and gold military coat, complete with intricate trim and lace cuffs, and a powdered white wig. His serious yet composed expression and steady gaze convey authority. The dark background, subtly illuminated by a distant glow suggesting sky and water, emphasizes his presence and status.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, Cotes's portrait of Admiral Paulet demonstrates characteristics of the Rococo aesthetic prevalent in the mid-18th century. The work exhibits a decorative quality through the detailed rendering of the duke's opulent uniform and a certain lightness in its overall presentation. Cotes, an English artist, was particularly influential in advancing pastel painting in Britain, though this piece showcases his skill in the oil medium.
Context
This portrait was created during a period when such commissions were essential for affirming social standing among the British aristocracy and military elite. Francis Cotes was a prominent figure in British art, later co-founding the Royal Academy in 1768. His work, including this depiction of Admiral Paulet, contributes to the understanding of 18th-century British portraiture and the visual representation of power and identity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Cotes (20 May 1726 – 16 July 1770) was an English painter who was one of the pioneers of English pastel painting and co-founded the Royal Academy in 1768.
