What defines 19th-century British military portraiture?

Nineteenth-century British military portraits typically feature formal depictions of officers in full regalia, emphasizing rank, medals, and uniform details associated with specific regiments or colonial presidencies.

What materials were traditionally used in 19th-century oil portraits?

These portraits were predominantly rendered using oil pigments on stretched linen or cotton canvas, often housed within gilt gesso and carved timber frames.

How can authentic 19th-century oil paintings be identified?

Authentic oil paintings from this era often display natural age-related craquelure across the paint layer, historic canvas stretching techniques, oxidation on timber stretchers, and period-correct uniform accoutrements.

How should an antique military portrait be styled in a contemporary interior?

A military portrait can be hung as a focal point above a mantelpiece, styled within a dark panelled library, or integrated into an eclectic gallery wall alongside modern artwork.

How should an antique oil on canvas painting be preserved?

Keep the painting away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity, and direct heat sources, cleaning the surface only with a soft, dry brush to remove loose dust without disturbing the paint layer.

for sale €2,633 $2,858

£2,250

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Victorian Military Art

Red Uniform Oil Painting

Antique Officer Portrait

Framed Military Portrait

19th Century Military Art

Id #SA1222037

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Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

Name: Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1222037
Price: 2250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Description

The Sitter

The painting depicts a British military officer in full regalia. Historical records identify him as Major-General Albert Pinson (1800–1865), who served in the East India Company''s Madras Presidency service.

Context:

According to the 1851 census, Albert Pinson lived in West Monkton, Somerset—near North Curry—before his death in Exeter in 1865.

This is a large, fabulous 19th-century Victorian Oil on Canvas Portrait Painting depicting Colonel Pinson, who is poised in a half-length portrait pose whilst wearing his full military regalia.

Painted in 1852 by British artist W. Barrett.

Inscribed verso: Painted and presented to Colonel Pinson by W. Barrett - North Curry 6th Dated April 1852 & Signed W. Barrett in the lower right corner.

Mounted within the original and substantial gesso scrolled and moulded gilt frame.

The Madras Presidency (1640–1947)

Headquartered at Fort St. George, was a major administrative subdivision of the East India Company. It managed vast areas of South India, including modern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka, operating as a distinct military and civil establishment until 1858.

Key Aspects of the Madras Presidency Service: / Establishment & Evolution:

Established around 1640, it was formally designated a Presidency in 1684, becoming one of three primary Company administrative hubs along with Bombay and Bengal.

Military Service (Madras Army):

The Madras Army was one of the three Presidency armies, which played a major role in the Mysore Wars and Carnatic Wars and protected Company interests.Civil Service & Records: Civil servants managed land revenue, judicial, and political administration, with detailed records of service (1741-1858) available.

Structure:

It was ruled by a Governor, who was initially independent but became subordinate to the Governor-General in Calcutta after Pitt''s India Act of 1784.

Transition:

Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, administration passed to the British Crown, and the Presidency survived until Indian independence.

Service Records:

Detailed personnel records of civil servants are available in C.C. Prinsep’s ''Record of services of the Honourable East India Company''s civil servants in the Madras presidency, from 1741 to 1858,'' which can be found in the Internet Archive and Findmypast.

Condition

The Painting and frame are offered in good original condition commensurate with age.

The canvas was re-lined during the past 30 years or so, and parts of the gesso frame have been repaired.

Framed Measurements:

Height: 38.6 Inches | 98 cm

Width: 33.3 Inches | 84.5 cm

Depth: 3 Inches | 7.6 cm

DELIVERY : UK By Private Courier £95 ( Safe & Secure ) By Hand To Your Door

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Physical Dimensions

Height

98cm (38.58")

Width

84.5cm (33.27")

Depth

7.6cm (2.99")

Declaration

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this 19th Century Military Portrait to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1222037

Dealers Internal Reference

0954

Dealers Notes

Payments are accepted by Bank Transfer & by Debit / Credit Cards Via the BUY NOW Payment Link Tab shown below each items description.

PAY-PAL Account Holders are welcome. CHEQUES Drawn from UK banks.

Description

The Sitter

The painting depicts a British military officer in full regalia.

“

Historical records identify him as Major-General Albert Pinson (1800–1865), who served in the East India Company''s Madras Presidency service.

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

fig 1. A 19th-century oil portrait of a British military officer depicted in regimental uniform on canvas. — fig 1. Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

Context:

According to the 1851 census, Albert Pinson lived in West Monkton, Somerset—near North Curry—before his death in Exeter in 1865.

This is a large, fabulous 19th-century Victorian Oil on Canvas Portrait Painting depicting Colonel Pinson, who is poised in a half-length portrait pose whilst wearing his full military regalia.

fig 2. A 19th-century oil portrait of a British military officer depicted in regimental uniform on canvas. — fig 2. Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

Painted in 1852 by British artist W. Barrett.

Inscribed verso: Painted and presented to Colonel Pinson by W. Barrett - North Curry 6th Dated April 1852 & Signed W. Barrett in the lower right corner.

Mounted within the original and substantial gesso scrolled and moulded gilt frame.

fig 3. A 19th-century oil portrait of a British military officer depicted in regimental uniform on canvas. — fig 3. Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

The Madras Presidency (1640–1947)

Headquartered at Fort St. George, was a major administrative subdivision of the East India Company. It managed vast areas of South India, including modern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka, operating as a distinct military and civil establishment until 1858.

fig 4. A 19th-century oil portrait of a British military officer depicted in regimental uniform on canvas. — fig 4. Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

Key Aspects of the Madras Presidency Service: / Establishment & Evolution:

Established around 1640, it was formally designated a Presidency in 1684, becoming one of three primary Company administrative hubs along with Bombay and Bengal.

fig 5. A 19th-century oil portrait of a British military officer depicted in regimental uniform on canvas. — fig 5. Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

Military Service (Madras Army):

The Madras Army was one of the three Presidency armies, which played a major role in the Mysore Wars and Carnatic Wars and protected Company interests.Civil Service & Records: Civil servants managed land revenue, judicial, and political administration, with detailed records of service (1741-1858) available.

fig 6. A 19th-century oil portrait of a British military officer depicted in regimental uniform on canvas. — fig 6. Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

Structure:

It was ruled by a Governor, who was initially independent but became subordinate to the Governor-General in Calcutta after Pitt''s India Act of 1784.

Transition:

Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, administration passed to the British Crown, and the Presidency survived until Indian independence.

fig 7. A 19th-century oil portrait of a British military officer depicted in regimental uniform on canvas. — fig 7. Major General Albert Pinson 19th Officer Portrait Madras Presidency Service Military Oil Paintings

Service Records:

Detailed personnel records of civil servants are available in C.C. Prinsep’s ''Record of services of the Honourable East India Company''s civil servants in the Madras presidency, from 1741 to 1858,'' which can be found in the Internet Archive and Findmypast.