Images(2)

Simon Lord Lovat

Dateca. 1822

Artist William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

Publisher James Heath (1757-1834)

OriginEngland, London

MediumEtching on wove paper

DimensionsOverall: 26 × 20in. (66 × 50.8cm)

Credit LineGift of Virginia Lascara

Object number2024-15

DescriptionLower margin reads: "Simon Lord Lovat/ Drawn from the Life and Etch'd in Aquafortis by Will.m Hogarth/ Prince 1 Shilling/ Publish'd according to Act of Parliament August 25.th 1746"
Label TextThough accounts vary on the specifics of the meeting, artist William Hogarth had the opportunity to sketch a portrait of Simon Lord Lovat at the White Hart Inn in St. Albans in August 1746 as he was on his way to stand trial in London. Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat (c. 1667-1747) was a Scottish Chief of Clan Fraser of Lovat and Jacobite leader. He was arrested and charged with treason after Scottish forces were defeated at the Battle of Culloden which was the final battle of the Jacobite rising of 1745. His trial was a public spectacle that lasted 7 days. Both Houses of Parliament were in attendance as were members of the royal family and nobility. Scaffolding was brought in to seat the crowd. Fraser was ultimately convicted of treason and executed in April 1747.

This print was published in "The Works of William Hogarth, from the Original Plates..." which was published by James Heath in various editions between 1822 and 1840 using Hogarth's original plates.
ProvenanceBefore 2023, Virginia Lascara (Yorktown, VA); 2023-present, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)