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Notes

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The sitter is shown in flag officers’ full dress, 1795–1812 pattern, as a vice-admiral (two stars on the epaulettes) and wearing spectacles fitted with ‘Martin’s Margins’, which were thick tortoiseshell rims designed to reduce the amount of light reaching the eyes. Rainer had arrived in Madras (Chennai) in November 1794. This portrait may have been painted c.1800, following his promotion there to vice-admiral in 1799, or as late as 1804 if was a parting gift to his friend, Basil Cochrane (or commissioned by Cochrane), before Rainier sailed for England early in 1805.

Extensive biographical notes on the sitter, including a chronological list of Rainier oil portraits and related prints, may be downloaded from the Art Detective discussion on this portrait.

College of Optometrists

London

Title

Admiral Peter Rainier (1741–1808)

Date

c.1800–1804

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 71 x W 59 cm

Accession number

LDBOA1999.167

Acquisition method

purchased, 1991

Work type

Painting

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Is this painting by Thomas Hickey and not Arthur William Devis?

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