Richard Purcell (also published as Charles Corbutt)
The Hon[ora]ble S[i]r Wm. Howe, Knight of the Bath and commander in chief of his majesty's forces in America

The Hon[ora]ble S[i]r Wm. Howe, Knight of the Bath and commander in chief of his majesty's forces in America

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Artist Richard Purcell (also published as Charles Corbutt)British, born Ireland, active 1736–1766

Publisher John Morris, London

CultureAmerican

Titles

The Hon[ora]ble S[i]r Wm. Howe, Knight of the Bath and commander in chief of his majesty's forces in America

Date1777

PlaceLondon, England

MediumMezzotint on laid paper

DimensionsPlate: 13 7/8 × 9 7/8 in. (35.2 × 25.1 cm)
Sheet: 16 1/8 × 10 7/8 in. (41 × 27.6 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Matthew R. Simmons in honor of Kenneth Noland at "One Great Night in November, 2004"

Object numberB.2004.42

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

PRINTS

DescriptionThe American Revolution generated interest on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean for images of military leaders. Public interest was so intense that some British printmakers, lacking actual likenesses to copy, responded with fictitious portraits to meet the demand. Sir William Howe first distinguished himself during the French and Indian War. With the outbreak of the revolution, he was named Commander in Chief of British forces in America. Howe led his troops to victories at Bunker Hill, White Plains, and the Brandywine; however, with his disastrous defeat at Saratoga he was called back and replaced by General Henry Clinton.
Provenance[Donald A. Heald Rare Books, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2004.
Exhibition History"Radicals and Revolutionaries: America's Founding Fathers," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 10–May 28, 2018.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, left: Corbutt Delin.t et cecit. [cursive]
Recto: Inscribed in printed ink, below plate, center: The HON.BLE S.R W.M HOWE. / Knight of the Bath, & Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in America. [cursive] / LONDON: Publiſh'd as the Act directs, 10.th Nov.r 1777 by JOHN MORRIS, Rathbone Place.

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