Portrait of Alexander Dalrymple

This portrait of Alexander Dalrymple shows an important figure from the Scottish Enlightenment, who was responsible for setting up the Hydrographic Office, and providing charts of the oceans which helped to underpin the growth of the British Empire. It is the only known painted portrait of him. It is thought to have been painted in the family home at Newhailes by the Edinburgh portraitist Seton and show Dalrymple in his East India Company's sea-officer's uniform. Seton became known for his accomplished studies of Edinburgh high society and this is a relatively early work in his wide output.