1797–1805 · Watercolour over graphite
An Officer of the Corps of Bowmen
William Alexander
Why it matters
Made after Alexander returned from the embassy and later engraved for The Costume of China, the isolated figure shows observation reorganised as a portable social type. Dress, rank, and weaponry become a compact claim to knowledge about an empire.
- Publication
- Preparatory drawing for The Costume of China
- Holding institution
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Shelfmark
- 62.20
Alexander, William. An Officer of the Corps of Bowmen, 1797–1805. Watercolour over graphite. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 62.20.
