David Murray (1727–1796), Viscount Stormont 1783

George Romney painted this portrait of David Murray, Viscount Stormont, in England, likely in the late 18th century. Murray was a prominent politician and diplomat, and this portrait reflects the social and political elite of the time. Looking at the image, notice how Murray's clothing and bearing signal his status. The velvet cloak, elaborate waistcoat, and powdered wig were all markers of wealth and power in British society. The star on his cloak indicates his membership in an order of chivalry, connecting him to the institutions of state. Romney, as a leading portrait painter, contributed to the construction of an aristocratic image. He was part of the artistic infrastructure that validated the social hierarchy of the era. To better understand this painting, one would want to examine sources from the period, like letters, diaries, and political pamphlets. These might tell us about Murray's specific role in government, and also about the wider world of patronage that sustained artists like Romney. Ultimately, this portrait is a reminder that art is always tied to the social and institutional contexts in which it is made and viewed.