Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis

by John Smart
pencil and grey wash, feigned oval, 1792
7 1/4 in. x 6 5/8 in. (184 mm x 168 mm)
Purchased, 1963
Primary Collection
NPG 4316

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • John Smart (1741-1811), Miniature painter. Artist or producer associated with 20 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

As an experienced general and statesman, Cornwallis was appointed Viceroy of Ireland in 1798 as rebellion swept through the country. He advocated punishment of the ringleaders while sparing their followers. In the aftermath he sought to curb Irish political corruption though his administration used extensive bribery to force through the Act of Union (1801). When it became clear that the political rights promised to Catholics as part of the union settlement would not be conceded, Cornwallis resigned in disapproval.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 121
  • Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 53
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 145
  • Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 79 Read entry

    Cornwallis is best known for his capitulation of Yorktown (19 October 1781), which brought to an end the American War of Independence. He went reluctantly to India as Governor-General in 1786, but had great success there as an administrator and soldier. This grisaille drawing by John Smart shows him after his defeat of Tippoo, Sultan of Mysore, in recognition of which he was created Marquess Cornwallis. Tippoo's palace at Seringapatam appears in the background and the olive branches of peace decorate the roundel. Smart was working in India from 1785 to c.1796.

Placesback to top

Events of 1792back to top

Current affairs

The famous seven year trial of Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal, on charges of embezzlement and murder, ends with his acquittal. Pro-Revolutionary philosopher Joseph Priestley's house is destroyed by a mob on the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille. Their actions are later seen as a key moment in the defeat of Enlightenment ideals in England.

Art and science

Mary Wollstonecraft publishes A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; a radical work which called on women to be allies to one another; fearless in their support and free in their criticism.
Sir Joshua Reynolds dies and is succeeded by Benjamin West as President of the Royal Academy.

International

The mob invades the Tuileries and the French Royal Family is imprisoned marking the end of France's experiment with constitutional monarchy and the declaration of the first French Republic.
The Revolutionary Commune is established in Paris.
France declares war on Austria and then Prussia.

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