William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
2 of 45 portraits of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
attributed to Christian Friedrich Zincke
enamel on copper, circa 1743-1745
1 1/2 in. x 1 1/4 in. (38 mm x 32 mm) oval
Transferred from National Gallery, 1994
Primary Collection
NPG 6285
On display at Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Inverness
Sitterback to top
- William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765), General; third son of George II. Sitter associated with 45 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Christian Friedrich Zincke (1684?-1767), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 27 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 158
- Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 61 Read entry
The Duke of Cumberland defeated the Young Pretender's army, at Culloden in 1746 and became known as the 'Butcher' because of his subsequent treatment of the Highlanders. The meticulous enamel portraits painted by Zincke were much admired at Court where, we are told by Vertue, he was expressly commanded by their majesties 'to make the King's picture young, not above 25 - and the Queen's not above 28 ... a mistery to posterity' (George Vertue's Notebooks, Walpole Society Journal XVIII-XXX, III, p 58). The two Zincke portraits here show Cumberland and Rochford both wearing scarlet coats embellished with gold-braid oak leaves, emblems of Hanoverian victory after the Battle of Dettingen in 1743.
Events of 1743back to top
Current affairs
Henry Pelham becomes Prime Minister, following the death of Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington.Last wolf in the British Isles is reputedly killed in Scotland.
Second Gin Act further attempts to deal with the widespread abuse of gin.
Art and science
Portrait-painter Michael Dahl dies.Physician and cartographer Christopher Packe produces the first geological map of south-east England.
Final edition of Alexander Pope's literary satire The Dunciad is published.
International
War of the Austrian Succession: Battle of Dettingen is fought in Bavaria. King George II leads the troops to victory over the French; the last time a British monarch participates in a battle. George Frideric Handel writes the oratorio Dettingen Te Deum in celebration. Treaty of Worms signed between Great Britain, Austria and Sardinia. France and Spain form the Alliance of Fontainebleau with the aim of recapturing Gibraltar from Britain.Comments back to top
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See this portrait
On display at Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Inverness