Artist: Pursel after Reynolds
A reverse painted mezzotint engraved by Richard Pursel after the portrait painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 'The Most Noble John Manners, Marquis of Granby, Commander in Chief of the British Forces in Germany, Lieutenant General of the Ordnance and Colonel of the Royal Regiment of the Horse Guards.' Within a period 'Hogarth' frame.
In February 1759, Granby was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general over British forces in Germany. Minden was Granby's first pitched battle. At the head of the Blues he was one of the cavalry leaders halted at the critical moment by Lord George Sackville, and when in consequence that officer was sent home in disgrace, Granby succeeded to the command of the British contingent in Ferdinand's army, having 32,000 men under his orders at the beginning of 1760. He also replaced Sackville as Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance.On 31 July 1760 Granby brilliantly stormed Warburg at the head of the British cavalry, capturing 1500 men and ten pieces of artillery. Since his twenties, he had been almost entirely bald, but disdained to wear a wig; during the charge, he lost his hat, giving rise to the expression "going at it bald-headed". A year later (15 July 1761) the British defended the heights of Villinghausen with what Ferdinand himself styled "indescribable bravery". On the following day, he led his troops in a counter-attack and helped drive the French from the field. His opponent, the duc de Broglie, was so impressed that he commissioned a portrait of Granby by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
w.12.5 in x h. 16.5 in (10 x 14)
Item Code: 777
£ £480
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