Portrait of Christian Edouard Fraser, Second Lieutenant of the 5th Regiment of the Dragoons

The portrait is painted in oil on canvas using a smooth, fine-weave support. Hodges rendered the sitter with a restrained, linear precision typical of early nineteenth-century Dutch portraiture, emphasizing sharp contours and a polished surface. The handling is restrained, with careful transitions in tone across the face and uniform, avoiding visible brushwork.

The composition balances the figure centrally, with the lieutenant’s high-collared dark uniform and white cross-belt sharply contrasted against a neutral background. The restrained palette and attention to detail underscore the sitter’s rank and social standing rather than emotional expression.

The portrait of Christian Edouard Fraser, Second Lieutenant of the 5th Regiment of the Dragoons, was painted in 1834 by Charles Howard Hodges. It was created as a commissioned work depicting Fraser in his military capacity. The painting entered the collection of Catharina Anna Fraser shortly after its completion and has remained in that family's possession until its acquisition by the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held.

The work measures 70.1 cm in height and 60.4 cm in width and is executed in oil paint on canvas.

Portrait of Christian Edouard Fraser, Second Lieutenant of the 5th Regiment of the Dragoons, painted by Charles Howard Hodges in 1834, is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection and is cataloged under inventory number SK-A-1865. The work has been exhibited in the Rijksmuseum's permanent display of 19th-century portraits, highlighting its significance within Dutch military portraiture.

The painting measures 70.1 cm in height and 60.4 cm in width, and was originally owned by Catharina Anna Fraser before entering the museum's collection.

This 1834 oil-on-canvas portrait by Charles Howard Hodges depicts Christian Edouard Fraser, a Second Lieutenant in the 5th Regiment of the Dragoons. The work is characterized by its ornate yet refined style, aligning with the Rococo movement. It is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.

While the broader historical context of the portrait is not explicitly detailed, it reflects the continued influence of Rococo styles in early 19th-century European portraiture, despite the rise of other movements.

The portrait's legacy is primarily as a representation of Hodges' work within the Rococo tradition and as a historical record of Christian Edouard Fraser. Its inclusion in the Rijksmuseum underscores its value as part of cultural and artistic heritage.