The Death of Abercrombie (Sir Ralph Abercromby and five others)

1 portrait by Edward Mitchell

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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The Death of Abercrombie (Sir Ralph Abercromby and five others)

by Edward Mitchell, after James Northcote
line engraving, published 1805 (1802)
22 1/2 in. x 23 7/8 in. (570 mm x 608 mm) paper size
Reference Collection
NPG D13766

Sitterback to top

Artistsback to top

  • Edward Mitchell (active 1797-1830), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 11 portraits.
  • James Northcote (1746-1831), Painter; pupil and biographer of Sir Joshua Reynolds. Artist or producer associated with 104 portraits, Sitter associated with 23 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In contrast to the grand battle scenes and supporting cast of hundreds that characterised the majority of the prints of Sir Ralph Abercromby's death, he is depicted in this engraving in a more intimate way. Mortally wounded fighting the French in Egypt in 1801, he is shown being gently helped down from his horse by a few loyal adherents, away from the turmoil of the field. The emphasis here is less on his glorious heroism and more on his reputation as a humane and well-liked commander.

Events of 1805back to top

Current affairs

Nelson's state funeral is held at St Paul's. An occasion for an outpouring of national grief and patriotism, the grand ceremony built on the cult of Nelson which had emerged in the years before his death.

Art and science

Mary Tighe publishes Pysche or the Legend of Love, a romantic allegory in the fashionable medieval revival style, admired by both Keats and Shelley.
The 'poems of Ossian' are officially declared a fake and a great literary scandal ends as Scottish poet James Macpherson is exposed as the forger of the third century bard's epic works.

International

Battle of Trafalgar. Napoleon's ultimate plan to invade England from Boulogne with 100,000 men is thwarted by superior British naval power. Nelson dies in the closing moments of battle having been wounded by a French sniper, but survives long enough to learn that a decisive victory has been won.

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