The Death of Wolfe

Date1770-1774

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 31 15/16" x 48 1/16" and Framed: 39 3/8" x 55 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-668

DescriptionAn al fresco scene showing four men in British uniforms, a fifth man kneeling on the ground at far right, wearing a skirted brown coat, and holding up a vial that, apparently, he has just removed from a case held open in front of him. Two soldiers carry a third, who is wounded, one supporting the injured man's shoulders, the other his lower legs. They move from left to right, ostensibly headed toward the kneeling man. A fourth soldier stands near them in the left half of the composition, leaning toward the injured man and extending towards him a green-leafed twig held in his proper right hand. He holds his black cocked hat in his other hand. The four soldiers wear red coats. Those of the carried man and the man with the twig have yellow facings; that on the soldier holding the legs has red facings; the fourth soldier's coat has blue facings.
A rock pile looms behind the men. The ground appears to drop off abruptly in the foreground, suggesting the edge of a cliff. Twined tree trunks appear at far left and, in the left background, embattled soldiers appear on a field.
The 3 3/4-inch gilded frame with acanthus leaf decoration at the sight edge and stick-and-ribbon decoration inside the top edge has not been examined for original vs. replacement status as of 3/24/2009.

Label TextMost Americans know that the Revolutionary War established America’s freedom from British rule. Far fewer realize that the French and Indian War (1754-1763) ensured that most of North America would belong to England rather than France.

In 1759, during one of that conflict’s pivotal engagements, the British captured the city of Quebec. Despite the victory, their commanding officer, Brigadier General James Wolfe, was mortally wounded. He instantly became a martyred hero in Britain and was immortalized by several painters there, including American ex-patriot Benjamin West and the unidentified painter of this composition.

What’s the Connection?
Wolfe began his impressive military career in his teens. His reputation led the Prime Minister to appointment him Brigadier General in 1758 and send him to North America to wrest the continent from the French.

InscribedIn red paint on the lower stretcher, in the lower left corner, is, "899-0961," possibly an inventory number from a former owner/dealer.
ProvenanceMichael Harvard ("Vendor") relayed only that the painting had come from the "collection of an Englishman."
However, a photo of the painting was labeled, "formerly belonging to the Riall family of Yeovil, Somerset." [N. B. The photo appears to be missing as of 9/17/2003, but the file contains a photocopy of its labeling].