NAM.2008-05-25-1

Major-General James Wolfe, 1759. Oil on canvas by J S C Schaak (active 1759-1780) after a drawing by Capt Hervey Smyth, 1760; possibly that exhibited at the Free Society of Artists, 1762 Full length, in profile, to left, wearing a plain red uniform; directing his troops as they land and start to climb the Heights of Abraham outside the city of Quebec. Associated with Seven Years War, North America, Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1756-1763), 1759. In the decade following General Wolfe’s death in 1759, this was the most famous image of this remarkable young man. It is the earliest accurate portrait of him at the moment of his greatest victory. Displayed at Wolfe’s childhood home until 2007, this painting was at risk of entering a private collection overseas, but it was saved for the nation by the National Army Museum through a public appeal. When news of Wolfe’s heroic death in the service of his country reached Britain on 16 October 1759, he became a celebrity overnight. The public wanted to know what he looked like, but because he died in action there were no existing portraits showing him at the time of his triumph. This painting is the closest there is: although painted shortly after his death, it is based on an eyewitness sketch by Wolfe’s aide-de-camp, Captain Hervey Smyth. In the eighteenth century, much as today, popular images helped to form the public view of a celebrity or hero. This painting is probably so small because it was created specifically as a model for popular prints, to satisfy the demand for images of Wolfe. Not only prints, but statues and even pub signs were based on this painting, which meant that this view of Wolfe was seen by large numbers of people, both in Britain and North America.

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