First Previous 12 OF 1300 NextLast

William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland

12 of 1300 portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds

William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds, circa 1758-1760 - NPG 625 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

© National Portrait Gallery, London

  • Larger Image
  • Image zoom
  • Buy a print
  • Use this image
  • ShareShare this

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

On display on the Second Floor at Beningbrough Hall

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 1413 portraits, Sitter associated with 38 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.

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.