William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
1 of 6 portraits by David Morier
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
studio of David Morier
oil on canvas, 1749-1770, based on a work of circa 1748-1749
29 1/2 in. x 24 in. (749 mm x 610 mm)
Transferred from The British Museum, London, 1879
Primary Collection
NPG 537
Sitterback to top
- William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765), General; third son of George II. Sitter associated with 45 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Painted after the battle of Culloden, this portrait should be viewed as flattering propaganda. Although Cumberland's campaigns in the Netherlands were failing, he is portrayed as proud, elegant and confident, truly in command of the troops seen outside the window. The portrait is a version of a whole length in the Royal collection.
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).
Linked publicationsback to top
- Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 65
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 158
Events of 1748back to top
Current affairs
In his role as magistrate, Henry Fielding organises the forerunner of the Bow Street Runners, effectively London's first police force.Fire in the City of London causes over a million pounds worth of damage.
Art and science
Tobias Smollett publishes The Adventures of Roderick Random.Samuel Richardson publishes Clarissa; the longest novel in the English language.
Philosopher David Hume publishes An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding.
Physician John Fothergill's pamphlet Account of the Sore Throat attended with Ulcers contains the first description of diphtheria.
International
Ancient Roman city of Pompeii is rediscovered near Naples, further fuelling a resurgence of interest in the antique among British collectors such as the diplomat Sir William Hamilton.Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle ends the War of the Austrian Succession.
French writer Montesquieu anonymously publishes his influential treatise on political theory L'Esprit des Lois (The Spirit of the Laws).
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.