Lieutenant Colonel Sir Banastre Tarleton

John Raphael Smith after Sir Joshua Reynolds

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a man sitting on top of a military cannon. He is positioned with his legs straddling the barrel, facing partly to the right of the image while turning his head to look to the left. His facial features are youthful with a clean-shaven face and distinct eyebrows. He has short, wavy hair mostly hidden by a military-style hat with a fur plume. He wears a buttoned military coat, white breeches, tall boots, and holds a curved sword (sabre) in gloved hands, resting it against his knee. Large pieces of fabric are wrapped around him and the cannon. A horse is seen behind him on the left, with its head visible and wearing a bridle. The background is filled with billowing clouds.