Wolfe lies in the centre, to the right, supported by three
officers. In front of him is a wounded officer, standing, supported
by others, to hear his dying injunctions. At his feet is an Indian
warrior in his war-paint, gazing at him to see how an English chief
will die. On the extreme left is a messenger running, and on the
left ships with soldiers disembarking. On canvas, 5 ft. high, by 8
ft. wide.
Wolfe was killed on the 13th September, 1759, in the moment of
victory before Quebec. "The fall of Wolfe was noble indeed. He
received a wound in the head, but covered it from his soldiers with
his handkerchief. A second ball struck him in the belly, but that
too he dissembled. A third hitting him in the breast, he sank under
the anguish, and was carried behind the ranks. Yet, fast as life
ebbed out, his whole anxiety centred on the fortune of the day. He
begged to be borne nearer to the action, but his sight being dimmed
by the approach of death, he entreated to be told what they who
supported him saw: he was answered, that the enemy gave ground. He
eagerly repeated the question, heard the enemy was totally routed,
cried 'I am satisfied,' and expired." (Walpole's _Memoirs_.)
"In this picture, which was painted in 1771, West introduced the
sensible innovation of dressing the characters in their proper
costume; previous to that time it was the common practice with
painters to dress their figures in historical compositions of any
kind, in the Greek or Roman costume. Sir Joshua Reynolds was one
of those who were averse to the innovation, but when the picture
was finished, he changed his opinion. After a careful examination
of the picture, he observed to the Archbishop of York, who was with
him at the time, 'West has conquered; he has treated his subject as
it ought to be treated; I retract my objections. I foresee that
this picture will not only become one of the most popular, but will
occasion a revolution in the art.' When West related this to the
King, he said, 'I wish I had known all this before, for the
objection has been the means of Lord Grosvenor getting the picture,
but you shall make a copy for me.'"
This is the copy ordered by George III., for which the painter
received £315. The original is at Grosvenor House, and has been
finely engraved by Woollett. There are several other repetitions of
it.
81 Prince of Wales (George IV.), and Duke of York
(_500_) . . . . . WEST.
The Prince is on the left, in yellow satin, his right hand on his
hip, his left on his brother's shoulder, who leans against a table.
They are both in the robes of the Garter and St. Andrew. On canvas,
9 ft. high, by 7 ft. wide.
The Prince of Wales was born on August 12th, 1762; Frederick, Duke
of York, on August 16th, 1763. This picture represents them when
they were about fifteen and fourteen years old, therefore, about
1777.
Soon afterwards the Duke of York proceeded to Prussia for the
purpose of being educated as a soldier.
82 Dukes of Cumberland, Sussex, and Cambridge, and the Princesses
Augusta-Sophia, Elizabeth, and Mary (_488_).
The Duke of Cumberland is on the left, standing; the Duke of Sussex
is lying down near his sister Elizabeth, who holds on her lap the
infant Princess Mary (?). Kneeling by them is the Duke of
Cambridge, and behind is the Princess Augusta-Sophia. Signed and
dated 1776. On canvas, 6 ft. 7 in. high, by 7 ft. 10 in. wide.
Prince Ernest Augustus, afterwards Duke of Cumberland and King of
Hanover, and grandfather of her Royal Highness Princess Frederica,
was born June 5th, 1771; Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex,
on January 27th, 1773; and Prince Adolphus Frederick, Duke of
Cambridge, on February 24th, 1774. Princess Augusta-Sophia was born
on November 8th, 1768; Princess Elizabeth, on May 22nd, 1770; and
Princess Mary, on April 25th, 1776.
The Princesses have long been wrongly called, Charlotte, Augusta,
and Sophia; the correct names, as given above, are derived from the
contemporary mezzotint by V. Green; besides, when this picture was
painted the Princess Sophia was not born.
83 Queen Charlotte, aged 36, with her thirteen children in the
background (_498_) . . . . . WEST.
Standing; dressed in white, her hair powdered and piled up high.
The thirteen children are seen in the distance to the left, in a
picture which is now at Windsor Castle. On canvas, 9 ft. 6 in.
high, by 7 ft. wide.