Sir Harry Smith, Bt

This portraitback to top

Smith is shown in the uniform of a major-general, with the Peninsula Medal (twelve bars), the Waterloo Medal, the Maharajpore (Gwalior) Star, the Sutlej Medal (three bars), and the ribbon, badge, and star of the Bath. Smith was created a major-general in 1846, and awarded the Bath in that year, so the miniature was probably painted soon afterwards, and before he departed for South Africa in 1847. The previous attribution to Sir W. C. Ross is clearly erroneous. The head bears some resemblance to the miniature by W. Melville of 1842. Baroness Burdett-Coutts also owned a drawing of Smith by an unknown artist, exhibited VE, 1892 (334), possibly the drawing by Isabey recorded in her collection by the Dictionary of National Biography.

Physical descriptionback to top

Healthy complexion, grey eyes, brown hair with grey streaks. Dressed in a red uniform, gold-braided collar, cuffs and epaulettes, and gilt buttons, wearing multi-coloured decorations and medals, a red sash, a red and gilt sword-belt, and black trousers, holding a black hat with red and white feathers. Colour of curtain at right dark green; rest of background light green.

Provenanceback to top

C. Eskell van Noorden, 1903, when offered to NPG; Baroness Burdett-Coutts, purchased at her sale, Christie's, 9-11 May 1922 (lot 388).


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Ormond, Early Victorian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1973, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.

View all known portraits for Sir Harry Smith, Bt