William Woollett
The Death of General Wolfe

ArtistAmerican, active England, 1738–1820
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • The Death of General Wolfe
Date1776
PlaceLondon, England
MediumEngraving
DimensionsPlate: 18 1/4 × 23 1/4 in. (46.4 × 59.1 cm)
Sheet: 18 7/8 × 24 1/16 in. (47.9 × 61.1 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Dr. and Mrs. Edward F. Heyne III
Object numberB.96.14
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThe Battle of Quebec in September of 1759 was a decisive victory for British forces led by Major General James Wolfe, who suffered mortal wounds in the fighting. At the end of the Seven Years’ War in 1763, France ceded to Britain almost all of its North American colonial possessions. Benjamin West’s painting portraying Wolfe’s death on the battlefield was widely reproduced in print form.
ProvenanceFrances and Edward F. Heyne III, Houston; given to MFAH, 1996.
Exhibition History“American Adversaries: West and Copley in a Transatlantic World,” The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 6, 2013–January 20, 2014.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscription: Printed lower right below image: "Wm Woollett./Engraver to HIS MAJESTY." Printed lower left below image: "Painted by B. West/Historical painter to HIS MAJESTY." Printed in script lower margin, left to right: "To the King's most excellent Majesty/This plate, THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE, is with/His gracious Permission humbly dedicated by his Majesty's most dutiful Subject & Servant, William Woollett./From the original Picture in the Collection of Lord Grosvenor." Printed lower right margin: "by Messrs. Woollett, Boydell & Ryland, LONDON." Printed lower left margin: "Published as the Act directs, January 1st. 1776." Pencil marks on verso sheet: "211/£2.10.0 (circled)" "1951", "13rilliang (?) Proof Lb.16.b (?)"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Fireback
c. 1759–1760
Cast iron
B.58.94
The Death of General Montgomery, In the Attack of Quebec, December 1775
Johan Frederik Clemens
1798
Engraving and etching on laid paper, proof before title
B.2007.7
Battle of New Orleans and Death of Major General Packenham
Joseph Yeager
c. 1815–1816
Etching, engraving, aquatint, and watercolor on wove paper, state I
B.91.47
The Voyage of Life: Childhood
James Smillie
c. 1855
Engraving on paper, proof
B.2006.9.1
The Death of General Wolfe
Theodore Falckeysen
c. 1780–1790
Etching and engraving
BF.2000.14
Pater Patriae
Enoch G. Gridley
c. 1800
Stipple and line engraving with etching on wove paper
B.96.5
The Voyage of Life: Youth
James Smillie
c. 1855
Engraving on paper, proof
B.2006.9.2
The Voyage of Life: Manhood
James Smillie
c. 1855
Engraving on paper, proof
B.2006.9.3
The Voyage of Life: Old Age
James Smillie
c. 1855
Engraving on paper, proof
B.2006.9.4
General Taylor's Encampment Quick Step
William Harring
1846
Engraving on paper
B.2006.26
Third Day: The Separation of Land and Sea
Jan Harmensz. Müller
1589
Engraving, state II/II
2000.83