NAM.2005-09-157-1

Major (later Major-General) James Wolfe (1727-59), 1750 (c). Miniature portrait in Indian ink and pencil on paper, by James Ferguson (1710-1776), 1750 (c). Oval, en grisaille; half-length looking slightly to the left, wearing a coat, waistcoat and tricorn hat. In glazed, gilt metal frame, with a suspension loop and velvet back. Associated with the Capture of Quebec, Seven Years War, North America (1756-1763), 1759. Drawn with great precision, the drawing depicts James Wolfe as a fresh-faced officer, wearing a tricorn hat and with his hair styled en queue, according to the fashion of the day. The striking youthfulness of the portrait is a reminder of how remarkably successful Wolfe was for one so early in his career. By the age of 23 he was a lieutenant-colonel in command of a battalion and, at the time of his death, was a major-general aged only 32. His heroic death in action at Quebec on 13 September 1759 precipitated the fall of French Canada and captured the imagination of the general public. The miniature belonged to Robert Monckton (1726-1782), Wolfe’s second-in-command, and was passed down through his family. It is not known whether it was actually in Wolfe’s possession when he died, but Wolfe left his camp equipment to Monckton in his will.

Plains of Abraham, Battle of the, 1759 (Seven Years War, North America 1756-1763), Quebec, Capture of, 1759 (Seven Years War, North America 1756-1763)