Collection search - The Death of the Great Wolfe

Record information – Brief
1
The Death of the Great Wolfe

Hierarchical level:

Item

Date:

17 December 1795

Reference:

Box number: A218-01

Type of material:

Art

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

2836701

Context of this record:

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William Molson Macpherson fonds

Graphic material and artwork

The Death of the Great Wolfe
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Record information – Details
Date(s):

17 December 1795

Bilingual equivalent:

Click here

Place:

37 New Bond Steet, London, England

Place of creation:

No place, unknown, or undetermined

Extent:

1 print : etching and engraving, handcoloured with watercolour on laid paper; c.c., watermark [illegible]
Support 32.700 x 44.400 cm
Image 29.300 x 43.800 cm
Secondary support 55.900 x 71.100 cm

Language of material:

no language

Scope and content:

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This is an elaborate parody of Benjamin West's 1770 "Death of Wolfe" commemorating Wolfe's victory at the Battle of Quebec in 1759. The dying hero here is William Pitt, Prime Minister of Britain 1783 to 1801, and 1804 to 1806, expiring (politically) at the moment of victory. The passage of the Treason and Sedition Bills, which became law the next day, is the victory in this case. Pitt is being supported (left to right) by: Edmund Burke, paymaster of the forces; Pepper Arden, Master of the, Rolls; and Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Mellville, an ally and minister of Pitt, offering Pitt a farewell glass of wine. the officer holding the British flag is Lord Chatham, Pitt's older brother; the man supporting him is a memeber of the House, Mr. Thomas Powys, noted for his propensity to break into tears in the Commons. The Lord Chancellor, Loughborough, figures as a Mohawk Indian seated on the Ground. The two running-footmen in livery are Sir Charles Long and George Rose, Treasury, secretaries. Also seen are Lords Mansfield and Grenville, William Windham, Secretary at War, the Duke of Richmond, and another figure thought to be Brook Watson, a member of Parliament., From "Caricaturing Canada: English Views of Canadian Affairs", catalogue accompanying Carleton University 1985 exhibition in conjunction with the National Archives and National Gallery of Canada.
Additional name(s):

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Copyist (art): Gillray, James, 1757-1815

Artist: West, Benjamin, 1738-1820

Wolfe, James, 1727-1759
Additional information:

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Availability of other formats note:

Colour transparency available

Signatures and inscriptions note:

Inscribed. Dated., Inscription: in the plate, l.l.: Js. Gy. d:et f; l.c.: The DEATH of the Great WOLF.; l.r.: Pubd. Decr. 17th by H. Humphrey. 37, New Bond Street.; b.: ___ "We have overcome all Opposition! ___ exclaimed the Mefsengers, ___ "I'm satisfied." ___ said the Dying Hero, & Expired in the Moment of Victory./ To Benjn. West Efqr. Prefident of the Royal Academy, this attempt to Emulate the Beauties of his unequal'd Picture, of the "Death of Genl. Wolfe," is most refpectfully submitted, by the Author.
Subject heading:

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event

England

Portraits

évenement

Historical Events - 1795 (ATTACK ON WILLIAM PITT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS)
Source:

Private

Other accession no.:

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1989-514 X DAP
00068
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Conditions of access:

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Graphic (art)

[Consultation90 Open]
No restrictions on access to originals, or on use for reproduction or publication.

Box [1989-514]

[Consultation 90 Open]

A218-01 Item no. assigned by LAC 68

[Consultation 90 Open]

Copy negative [1989-514]

[Consultation 90 Open]

C-003647 Item no. assigned by LAC 68

[Consultation 90 Open]

Terms of use:

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Credit: Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1989-514-68
Copyright: Expired

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Date modified:: 2024-04-09