Details
Circle Andrea Casali (1720-c.1790)
A Portrait of William Hamilton of Bangour half length in Fur
trimmed Green Gold braided Coat he is seen standing quill in
hand
oil on canvas
carved giltwood frame
29 x 24½in. (73.6 x 62.2cm)
A Portrait of William Hamilton of Bangour half length in Fur
trimmed Green Gold braided Coat he is seen standing quill in
hand
oil on canvas
carved giltwood frame
29 x 24½in. (73.6 x 62.2cm)
Further details
William Hamilton of Bangour (1704-1754) was plagued by ill-health throughout his life and his distinguished career as a poet is attributed to the inaction caused by this misfortune. His love-poetry was well respected; Wordsworth described some of his work as "exquisite", and was influenced by his "Braes of Yarrow". At times, his romantic feelings grew too strong. One object of his passion appealed to the poet's friend, Lord Kames, for advice. Lord Kames suggested she should "reciprocate the sentiments', which she did, startling the poet into "an attitude of distant reserve". The most important works in this category were his "Gentle Shepherd" of 1725 and his "Contemplation, or the Triumph of Love". He was also an intensely political poet, being a strong Jacobite. In 1745, he was "out" and wrote "Gladsmuir" about the victory of Prestonpans. He hid in the Highlands after Culloden, which resulted in "A Soliloquy wrote in June, 1746. Eventually, he escaped to France where he was exiled in Rouen with Sir Stewart Threipland, 3rd Baronet (1716-1805). The influence of powerful friends enabled him to return but his failing health compelled him to go back to France. He died at Lyon of consumption. Hamilton is also remembered as a skilled translator of Classical authors, especially Horace. His translation of "The parting of Hector and Andromache" was the first translation of Homer into English blank verse.