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William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland

12 of 1340 portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland

studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, circa 1758-1760
29 1/2 in. x 24 1/2 in. (749 mm x 622 mm)
Purchased, 1881
Primary Collection
NPG 625

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 1414 portraits, Sitter associated with 39 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In this portrait, probably painted between 1758 and 1760, Cumberland is wearing a blue army uniform, although he had actually resigned his commission after defeat and political embarrassment in Austria in 1757. It seems the portrait was intended for one of Cumberland's generals, who probably preferred to have his commander wearing uniform. It is one of the better of several versions of this portrait to emerge from Reynolds' studio. 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

  • NPG D32906: William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (after)
  • NPG D32907: William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (after)

Linked publicationsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1758back to top

Current affairs

Comet observed in previous centuries returns exactly at the time predicted by astronomer Edmond Halley and is subsequently known by his name.

Art and science

Liverpool-born artist George Stubbs sets up in London as a painter.
James Woodforde, an English country parson, begins a detailed diary of everyday life, which is later published as Diary of a Country Parson.

International

Seven Years' War: British General John Forbes captures the strategic French stronghold Fort Duquesne and renames it Pittsburgh after British Secretary of State, William Pitt the Elder. British troops capture Louisbourg, Nova Scotia.
Pope Clement XIII succeeds Pope Benedict XIV as the 248th pope.

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