Midshipman Augustus Brine 1782

John Singleton Copley painted "Midshipman Augustus Brine" with oil on canvas. The layering of oil paint allows Copley to build up color, texture, and a sense of depth, which is particularly evident in the textures of Brine’s uniform. The dark navy of his jacket is contrasted with the creams and whites of his undershirt and breeches. These visual contrasts aren't just aesthetic; they also represent the social contrasts of the time. Augustus is dressed in the uniform of a midshipman, but he is still just a boy. Copley’s choice of oil paint aligns him with the traditions of European fine art. However, this painting also engages with wider social issues of labor and politics. It is a commissioned portrait of a young man in service of the British Empire. The painting itself would have required considerable labor, not only from Copley but also from those who supplied his materials and prepared his canvases. By considering the material and the making, we can appreciate this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.