Images(2)

Simon Lord Lovat

Date1746

Engraver William Hogarth (1697 - 1764)

Maker James Heath (1757-1834)

OriginEngland, London

MediumEtching on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 24 13/16 × 18 15/16in. (63 × 48.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1972-409,75

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.
ProvenanceBefore 1972, Sotheby's Auctions (Belgravia, London); 1972-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).