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2010-90, Miniature Portrait
Miniature Portrait of Major William Blakeney (1735-1804)
2010-90, Miniature Portrait

Miniature Portrait of Major William Blakeney (1735-1804)

Date1778
Maker Thomas Hill (active 1778-1779)
OriginEngland
MediumWatercolor on ivory in a metal case with a glass cover
DimensionsOH: 1 5/8"; OW: 1 3/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2010-90
DescriptionA miniature, bust-length portrait of a man, his head turned 45 degrees towards the viewer's right. He wears a uniform consisting of a red coat with blue facings, gold buttons, and gold buttonholes; a white ruffled shirt; a white waistcoat with gold buttons; a black neck cloth; and gold epaulettes. A white sword belt runs diagonally across his chest and bears a decorated gilt plate. The portrait is enclosed in a gold case with cover glasses front and back, the back one revealing an intricate arrangement of hair.
Label TextBritain's 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers) was stationed in New York City as early as the spring of 1773 but, militarily, is better known to Americans for its active role throughout the Revolutionary War, from the 1775 events at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, to Cornwallis's 1781 surrender at Yorktown, Virginia.

As a captain in the regiment, William Blakeney was among those first stationed in New York, then sent to squelch rising insurrection in Masssachusetts in July 1774. In 1775, he led the regiment's grenadier company at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, being wounded in the last engagement. He was promoted to major on November 24, 1775, and sat for this miniature portrait while on leave in England in 1778.
InscribedThe miniature is inscribed in block letters at lower right on the front: "TH/78". The verso of the primary support (or a separate piece of paper stuck behind the primary support; it is not yet clear which) is inscribed in ink in script: "Tho Hill/fecit 17/September".