Major George Henry Mason Paintings

Major George Henry Mason is a somewhat enigmatic figure in the history of British art and literature, primarily recognized for his publication 'The Costume of China,' which was illustrated by the artist William Alexander and published in 1800. While Mason's birth year is not well-documented, he is known to have passed away in 1799.

Mason was an officer in the British Army and also an author who took a keen interest in the culture and customs of the places he visited. His experiences and observations during his service in the East likely contributed to his later works. 'The Costume of China' is a significant contribution to the field of Orientalism and helped to shape European perceptions of China in the early 19th century.

The book is composed of a series of illustrations depicting Chinese people in various occupations and costumes, accompanied by descriptions. It was one of the first detailed accounts of Chinese dress and social customs available to the Western audience. Mason's work reflects the fascination with the 'exotic' that was prevalent among European intellectuals and the growing interest in ethnography and anthropology at the time.

Despite the importance of 'The Costume of China' in the context of British Orientalist literature, little is known about Mason's life beyond his military career and his work as an author. His contributions to the understanding of Chinese culture were overshadowed by later, more comprehensive studies, but his book remains a valuable historical document for those studying the West's early views of China and the development of ethnographic illustration.

As with many figures of the 18th century, Mason's life details are sparse, and much of his personal history is lost to time. However, his legacy as an author and observer of Chinese life in the late 18th century endures through his published works.