Location

Country: Belgium
City: Brussels
Place: British Embassy, UK representation to the EU & UK delegation to NATO

This pastel, recently attributed to 19th century British artist Jane Hawkins, depicts a diplomat in his lavish uniform standing at his desk. Wearing a diplomatic uniform was part of the court ritual and fashion in the 19th century. The amount and quality of the embroidery was indicative of the diplomatic rank. Based on this criteria, the Lord Chamberlain's office divided the British diplomatic corps into five ranks in 1847. Ambassadors who belonged to the first class, enjoyed the privilege of wearing the richest full dress uniform at grand state occasions. As shown in this pastel, the tailcoat is decorated with sparkling gold embroidery of oak and palm leafs covering especially the area of the chest, collar and cuffs. Among other accessories that completed the uniform were a sword, gloves and a two-cornered hat with ostrich feathers.

People

unknown man, diplomat)

Places

Subjects

paper (as Subject), male portrait, man, 19th century costume, diplomatic service uniform, wing collar, diplomat, sword

Materials & Techniques

paper (as artists material), pastel, pastel drawing

Artist

Jane Hawkins (1841 - 1904)

Title

Portrait of a Diplomat

Date

Medium

Pastel on paper

Dimensions

height: 84.00 cm, width: 65.00 cm

Acquisition

Origin uncertain

Inscription

On label on verso: Miss Hawkins / 5 Wimpole St

GAC number

5306