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The portrait was painted at a very specific time in the history of the British Empire. Minorca was an island garrison in the 1750s, and an important strategic location in Britain’s incessant wars against France. There were about 2,500 British soldiers from five regiments on the island at this time, a situation that persisted until 1756 when it was surrendered to the French following the loss of a naval battle off the coast. This was a considerable setback to Britain and led to the court-martial and execution of Admiral John Byng for his 'failure to do his utmost' to defend Minorca. The work undoubtedly also has great regimental significance, as the 24th Regiment (the unit that later became the South Wales Borderers), is one of those proudly represented by this Museum.
Unfortunately, it has not proved possible to identify the sitter. Uniforms of this time did not carry distinguishing features denoting rank, but it is thought the subject was a captain. There were at least seven of these serving with the Regiment in 1754, hence the difficulty in naming him.
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh
Brecon
Title
Portrait of an Unknown Officer of the 24th (South Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot
Date
1754
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 75 x W 63 cm
Accession number
BRCRM : 2019.50
Acquisition method
purchased by the Museum with grant aid from the Art Fund and with the assistance of the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund
Work type
Painting
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh
The Barracks, Brecon, Powys LD3 7EB Wales
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George, Lord Edgcumbe (1720–1795) Mount Edgcumbe House -
Jean Robertson University of Aberdeen -
Portrait of an Unknown Officer of the 24th (South Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh -
Mr Robinson Watford Museum -
John (d.1764), 6th Earl of Traquair Traquair House -
Mary Russell (d.1813), Daughter of Colonel Charles Russell Chequers Court -
Dorothea Montagu Alison (1755–1830) National Trust for Scotland, Fyvie Castle - 20 more