Lot 353
After Benjamin West. The Death of General Wolfe. Late 18th century oil on canvas, 17 x 23¼"., in period frame, 22 x 28". When the painting was recently taken out of the frame to be cleaned, the Chetwynd crest was discovered on the back; it has been retained and affixed to the back of the frame. The Chetwynd Baronetcy was created on May 1, 1795 for George Chetwynd, of Brocton Hall, Staffordshire, who was Clerk to the Privy Council for many years.
The Death of General Wolfe was painted in 1770 by Anglo-American artist Benjamin West depicting the death of British General James Wolfe during the 1759 Battle of Quebec of the Seven Years' War, or the French and Indian War, as it is known in North America. Major-General Wolfe (1727-1759) lies mortally wounded in the foreground of the picture, being supported by his aides. He wears a red coat, a red waistcoat, red breeches, and a white shirt; his musket, cartridge box, and bayonet lie on the ground in front of him. The rest of his staff surrounds him while an Indian sits directly opposite. Dr. Thomas Hinde, wearing a blue jacket, is attempting to stem the bleeding from Wolfe's wounds. Wolfe later died in the doctor's hands.
It was unusual to depict figures in contemporary clothes, classical clothing being the norm in historical paintings. George III did not like the painting at first, considering the clothing undignified, but the beauty of the painting overcame his first doubts. West made an additional and nearly identical painting of the same scene for King George III in 1771. West's paintings of The Death of General Wolfe are currently in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum, the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, and at Ickworth House, Suffolk, England.
See also the first engraving of this famous painting, made by the King's engraver, William Woollett: Lot 397.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 50,000.
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| Realized $18,000 |
