Kent News - Portrait of iconic military leader to be auctioned
A rare portrait of a heroic British general killed in leading his troops to victory over the French in Canada will be auctioned next month.
The painting of General James Wolfe set against the Plains of Abraham at Quebec will go under the hammer at Bonhams in New Bond Street, London, on Wednesday, July 7.
The portrait of the military leader is expected to fetch between £80,000 and £120,000 in the Old Master Paintings sale.
General Wolfe spent his childhood at Quebec House in Westerham, which is now a National Trust property.
He was appointed by Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder to lead the British assault on Quebec in 1759 in pivotal stage of the Seven Years’ War with the French.
The resulting Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which is also known as the Battle of Quebec, is one of the most celebrated events in British military history.
The confrontation, which began on September 13, 1759, was fought between the British Army and Navy, and the French Army, on a plateau just outside the walls of Quebec City.
The culmination of a three-month siege by the British, the troops commanded by General Wolfe successfully resisted the column advance of French troops.
The commander then led his troops up wooded cliffs at night, so the French awoke to be confronted by the British on the plains in front of Quebec.
General Wolfe was mortally wounded during the battle and died on the field, yet it proved to be a deciding moment in the war.
A Bonhams spokesman said: “Wolfe was renowned by his troops for being demanding on himself and them.
“His last victory earned him posthumous fame, most notably celebrated in Benjamin West’s epic canvas of 1771, The Death of General Wolfe, which became one of the most frequently reprinted images of the period, selling thousands of engravings.
“At this time Wolfe’s heroic reputation was second to none until Nelson’s equally pyrrhic victory at Trafalgar 46 years later.”
He added: “According to family tradition the posthumous portrait is by Sir Joshua Reynolds, but although it shares similarities of style with him, it is now attributed to the Circle of Joseph Highmore.
“Highmore was a British artist known for his portraits and historical paintings, and this work resembles a portrait he painted of Wolfe which is in the National Archives of Canada.
“Of the Highmore portraits this is the only one left in private hands.”
Andrew Mackenzie, Bonhams director of Old Master Paintings, said: “Among my early schoolboy memories is being taught about Wolfe’s celebrated victory at Quebec.
“Rarely does one have the opportunity to sell a major portrait of such a momentous historical figure.”
For more details on the auction visit www.bonhams.com/oldmasters
The painting of General James Wolfe set against the Plains of Abraham at Quebec will go under the hammer at Bonhams in New Bond Street, London, on Wednesday, July 7.
The portrait of the military leader is expected to fetch between £80,000 and £120,000 in the Old Master Paintings sale.
General Wolfe spent his childhood at Quebec House in Westerham, which is now a National Trust property.
He was appointed by Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder to lead the British assault on Quebec in 1759 in pivotal stage of the Seven Years’ War with the French.
The resulting Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which is also known as the Battle of Quebec, is one of the most celebrated events in British military history.
The confrontation, which began on September 13, 1759, was fought between the British Army and Navy, and the French Army, on a plateau just outside the walls of Quebec City.
The culmination of a three-month siege by the British, the troops commanded by General Wolfe successfully resisted the column advance of French troops.
The commander then led his troops up wooded cliffs at night, so the French awoke to be confronted by the British on the plains in front of Quebec.
General Wolfe was mortally wounded during the battle and died on the field, yet it proved to be a deciding moment in the war.
A Bonhams spokesman said: “Wolfe was renowned by his troops for being demanding on himself and them.
“His last victory earned him posthumous fame, most notably celebrated in Benjamin West’s epic canvas of 1771, The Death of General Wolfe, which became one of the most frequently reprinted images of the period, selling thousands of engravings.
“At this time Wolfe’s heroic reputation was second to none until Nelson’s equally pyrrhic victory at Trafalgar 46 years later.”
He added: “According to family tradition the posthumous portrait is by Sir Joshua Reynolds, but although it shares similarities of style with him, it is now attributed to the Circle of Joseph Highmore.
“Highmore was a British artist known for his portraits and historical paintings, and this work resembles a portrait he painted of Wolfe which is in the National Archives of Canada.
“Of the Highmore portraits this is the only one left in private hands.”
Andrew Mackenzie, Bonhams director of Old Master Paintings, said: “Among my early schoolboy memories is being taught about Wolfe’s celebrated victory at Quebec.
“Rarely does one have the opportunity to sell a major portrait of such a momentous historical figure.”
For more details on the auction visit www.bonhams.com/oldmasters
