Samuel Barrington 

John Singleton Copley painted this portrait of Samuel Barrington, a British admiral, on canvas, during a time when naval power equated to national identity. Barrington’s stern gaze and formal naval attire speak to the role of masculinity and duty intertwined with the image of empire. His identity as a naval officer is purposefully constructed through visual cues, reinforcing the values of discipline and authority associated with his position. The rough seas in the background allude to both Britain's dominance of the seas but also hint at the turbulence of naval life. It is interesting to consider how portraiture at this time was used to solidify social hierarchies, and how individuals like Barrington were both products and instruments of their historical moment. This portrait provides insight into the relationships between identity, power, and representation during the age of exploration and colonialism.