During the period of peace following the Napoleonic Wars, increasingly elaborate (and often quite impractical) military attire was devised, particularly by George IV. By the time William IV came to the throne in 1830, uniforms had become too expensive and were simplified and adapted once again. The result of these changes was codified and promulgated in the 1831 Dress Regulations. These paintings were intended to provide a visual record of the recent changes to military dress. Their value is not only historical, however, but also aesthetic: Drahonet produces lively, slightly elongated figures, capturing their facial expressions and setting them in a variety of organic poses.

Each painting in the series depicts a single figure against a neutral background. Although their uniform and accoutrements are the focus, the sitters are often identified by name, as well as regiment and rank. According to the inscription, shown here is Sergeant ‘J. Dixon’ of the Royal Horse Artillery. The Royal Horse Artillery were mounted troops raised in 1793 to provide mobile fire support to the cavalry regiments.

Drahonet depicts this figure in profile, the billows of smoke at his feet suggesting his involvement in artillery action. He wears the hybrid cavalry-artillery uniform seen here, although, of a lower rank, he has less gold braiding and ornamentation on his coatee, a red rather than gold trouser stripe, and a horsehair rather than cockerel-feather shako plume.