First Previous 1 OF 26 NextLast

James Wolfe

1 of 26 portraits of James Wolfe

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation Close

James Wolfe

by Joseph Wilton
plaster cast of bust, circa 1760
29 1/2 in. x 22 1/2 in. (750 mm x 570 mm) overall
Purchased, 1964
Primary Collection
NPG 4415

On display in Room 10 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

  • James Wolfe (1727-1759), General; conqueror of Quebec. Sitter associated with 26 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Joseph Wilton (1722-1803), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 7 portraits, Sitter in 9 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In designing this posthumous bust, the sculptor Joseph Wilton allegedly had Wolfe's coffin opened so he could sketch Wolfe's face, but found it 'much too much distorted'. Instead, he created an idealised portrait of a hero, stated to be based on a servant of Lord Gower's who was very like Wolfe, wearing the armour of an ancient Roman soldier. The wolf motifs on the shoulders are a pun on the General's name. More detailed information on this portrait is available in a National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue, John Kerslake's Early Georgian Portraits (1977, out of print).

Related worksback to top

Linked publicationsback to top

Events of 1760back to top

Current affairs

Death of George II on 25 October at the age of 76. George III succeeds to the throne at the age of 22.

Art and science

German artist Johan Zoffany arrives in England, where he is instrumental in reviving the 'conversation piece' genre of painting.
First public exhibition of paintings in England is held at the Society of Arts' Great Room in the Strand, London.
The Public Ledger is founded; the oldest British periodical with continuous daily publication.


International

Seven Years' War: At the Battle of Carrickfergus in Ireland, a force of French troops captures the town of Carrickfergus before retiring.
Surrender of Montreal to the British under General Jeffrey Amherst signals the virtual loss of Canada by the French. British troops oust the Nawab of Bengal Mir Jafar and replace him with Mir Quasim.
Former Chief Tacky leads an unsuccessful slave rebellion in Jamaica, which aims to overthrow British rule.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.