Colonel Alastair Ranaldson Macdonell of Glengarry 1771 - 1828

Here we see Henry Raeburn's oil on canvas painting of Colonel Alastair Ranaldson Macdonell of Glengarry. Raeburn paints Glengarry, a Highland clan chief, embodying Scottish Highland identity during a period of cultural romanticism. The painting situates Glengarry within a narrative of Scottish pride and martial prowess, evidenced by the traditional Highland dress, arms, and proud stance. Tartan, deeply connected with clan identity, became a potent symbol after the Jacobite Risings and subsequent cultural suppression. Raeburn seems to be reclaiming this identity. But consider also the romanticization and idealization inherent in this portrayal. How does the image conflate identity with power? How might those without Glengarry’s class or status relate to this image? This portrait invites us to consider the complexities of identity, history, and representation, and what it means to embody a sense of belonging.