Who painted Portrait of a Naval Officer?

Portrait of a Naval Officer was painted by John Wollaston in 1753.

Where can I see Portrait of a Naval Officer?

Portrait of a Naval Officer is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Portrait of a Naval Officer?

Portrait of a Naval Officer is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Naval Officer?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Naval Officer are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Naval Officer

John Wollaston , 1753

Portrait of a Naval Officer is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist John Wollaston. It dates from 1753 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Created in 1753, this oil on canvas portrays a mid‑18th‑century naval officer rendered in a poised three‑quarter view.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1753, this oil on canvas portrays a mid‑18th‑century naval officer rendered in a poised three‑quarter view. The figure stands before a darkened backdrop that hints at a distant ship, linking his identity to maritime service. The work belongs to the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is displayed as an example of colonial portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is dressed in a dark blue and cream military coat trimmed with brass buttons, his powdered wig styled in tight curls. One hand rests on a tall telescope, while the other points outward, suggesting a focus on navigation or a distant horizon. The composition emphasizes the officer’s status and the professional confidence associated with naval command.

Technique & Style

The painter employs a soft, diffused light that isolates the face, creating a subtle chiaroscuro effect that models the features against the deep background. Delicate brushwork captures the texture of the fabric and the sheen of the brass fittings, while the overall composition reflects the decorative elegance of Rococo portraiture adapted to colonial tastes.

History & Provenance

John Wollaston the Younger, an English portraitist active in British North America from the 1740s to the 1770s, introduced English Rococo sensibilities to the colonies. This portrait, executed during his American period, entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings in the twentieth century, where it remains a documented example of his transatlantic oeuvre.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

John Wollaston

John Wollaston (fl. 1742 – 1775) was an English painter who specialised in portrait painting and was active mostly in British North America. He was one of a handful of painters to introduce English Rococo styles of…