Item 163: Engraving of “The Death of General Wolfe,” Benjamin West and P. Somebody (removed to Oversized Print Box #2), [after 1766]
Item — Box: 21, Folder: 163
Dates
- Created: [after 1766]
Creator
- West, Benjamin, 1738 – 1820 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Engraving
Condition Note:
Fair.
Measurements:
7 ⅝ in. x 7 ¼ in.
Title:
The Death of General Wolfe
Description:
An engraved copy by P. Somebody after Benjamin Wests’ famous painting titled the “Death of General Wolfe.”
This print is an unauthorized copy of the original West painting, noted by how the engraver signs his name as P. Somebody. It is thought by curators, such as The Met, that this is due to the engraver's desire to signal the cheapness of the print. It is possible that it was an attempt to spread availability to the print, as West’s painting was a revolutionary tool in how artists went about depicting the true record of history compared with the idealized images that came before.
James Wolfe was a British Army officer born January 2, 1727. He was known for his training reforms as well as his victory over the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in Quebec in 1759. He took part in the suppression of the Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland and Flanders. This caught the attention of his superiors, but his career advancement was halted by the Peace Treaty of 1748. He was a brigade major at the age of 18 and a lieutenant-colonel by 23. Wolfe died in battle at the Siege of Quebec on September 13, 1759.
The date for the manuscript has been ascertained by a comparison with a similar manuscript available on The Met’s website.
Location:
Quebec (setting)
Transcription:
Painted by B. West History Painter to King of England Engraved by P. Somebody
THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE
To the Lovers of little things and Cheap-buyers
This plate is Earnestly recommend and dedicated
To be found at chiefest Printsellers in the World
Bearable(?) Scrip
Creator
- West, Benjamin, 1738 – 1820 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu