Head of a Man c. 1810 - 1825

George Chinnery created this head of a man using graphite and watercolor on paper. Chinnery spent much of his career in India and China, painting portraits of wealthy merchants and members of the British East India Company. This sketch is fascinating for what it tells us about the politics of portraiture in British colonial society. The man’s Western features and clothing mark him as part of the colonial elite. Chinnery’s delicate use of color and careful attention to the man’s gaze create an image of authority and refinement. This artistic language was used to reinforce social hierarchies and legitimize British power in Asia. To understand Chinnery’s work, it is crucial to research the history of British colonialism and the East India Company. Only by looking into the economic and political structures of the time can we understand how art played a role in constructing and maintaining colonial power.