The Colonel

The Colonel is an 1865 oil portrait on wood attributed to an unidentified American 19th-century painter. Its provenance traces to a Massachusetts owner, purchase by Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch in 1950, and donation to the National Gallery of Art in 1953, where it remains in Washington, D.C. The work is catalogued as a portrait in the Gallery's collection and illustrates the genre's emphasis on formal realism and personal stature.

The Colonel remains on display at the National Gallery of Art, where its inclusion in the permanent collection affirms its standing as a representative work of American 19th-century portraiture. Acquired in 1950 by Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch and gifted to the museum in 1953, the painting's long-term preservation and public exhibition have reinforced its reputation within the field.

This oil painting on wood, titled The Colonel, presents a portrait of a military figure. The artwork depicts a man dressed in a distinctive blue uniform, characterized by its ornate details and formal presentation. His posture, with hands on hips, conveys a sense of authority and directness.

The artist's focus on precise rendering of the subject's attire and features aligns with a particular artistic approach.

The central figure of the painting is a man portrayed in a striking blue military uniform. His attire features prominent gold buttons, shoulder accents, and a red and gold belt, indicating a specific rank or affiliation. He wears a hat and has dark hair complemented by a mustache.

Posed with his hands on his hips, the subject projects an air of confidence and command, emphasizing his military identity.