William Woollett
The Death of General Wolfe

Public Domain

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Artist William Woollett (English, 1735–1785)English, 1735–1785

Artistafter Benjamin West (American, active England, 1738–1820)American, active England, 1738–1820

Publisher Woollett, Boydell and Ryland(London)London

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

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

PRINTS

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 (?)"

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