Details
Circle of John Alexander (fl.1710-1757)
Portrait of Lord George Murray full length in Tartan his manservant at his shoulder
oil on canvas, in carved frame
27½ x 20½in. (69.8 x 52.1cm)
Portrait of Lord George Murray full length in Tartan his manservant at his shoulder
oil on canvas, in carved frame
27½ x 20½in. (69.8 x 52.1cm)
Exhibited
Loan Exhibition of Scottish National Portraits 1884, as A Portrait of Alistair MacDonnell of Glengarry
Further research suggests that this portrait is of Lord Murray, the best Jacobite General of the Fortyfive. Compare the Jacobite cause Bruce Lenman, Richard Drew Publishing in association with The National Trust for Scotland pg.102. As Alistair MacDonnell of Glengarry was a traitor to the cause it is unlikely that such a portrait and the following portrait would be in a Jacobite stronghold. It is obvious by the incorrect attribution to both the sitter and artist in Lot 245 that inaccuracies appeared in the Loan Exhibition of Scottish National Portraits 1884.
Further research suggests that this portrait is of Lord Murray, the best Jacobite General of the Fortyfive. Compare the Jacobite cause Bruce Lenman, Richard Drew Publishing in association with The National Trust for Scotland pg.102. As Alistair MacDonnell of Glengarry was a traitor to the cause it is unlikely that such a portrait and the following portrait would be in a Jacobite stronghold. It is obvious by the incorrect attribution to both the sitter and artist in Lot 245 that inaccuracies appeared in the Loan Exhibition of Scottish National Portraits 1884.
Further details
The subject of this portrait was previously believed to be Aleistair or Alexander MacDonnell of Glengarry (d.1761). This member of a distinguished Jacobite family isknown to History as "Pickle the Spy". He became a Government agent. Although evidence was made available to Prince Charles, he refused to believe it and continued to confide in MacDonnell during the Elibank plot, with disastrous results. However, the subject has now been identified as Lord George Murray. Lord George Murray (1694-1760) was the fifth surviving son of the 1st Duke of Atholl. Although an officer in the Governments army, he deserted when the fifteen broke out. As a Jacobite Colonel, Murray commanded a battalion of Athollmen, contrary to the wishes of his father, a Government supporter. In the 1719 rebellion, he again served and his military ability was recognised by his promotion to Brigadier-General in June 1721.
With Prince James' permission, he returned from exile to say farewell to his dying father. In 1725, his brother James, a Government supporter, obtained his pardon and in gratitude, Murray avoided active politics until 1739. He then took the oaths of allegiance so as to help the election campaign of his half-brother, John, and in 1743 he kissed the hand of George II, a social necessity he took care never to repeat. Menawhile, his secret allegiance to Prince James was renewed in 1741.
On 25th July 1745, Prince Charles landed on the SCottish mainland. This marks th ebeginning of the Forty-five. When the Prince's standard was raised, it was held by Murray's eldest brother, William. Inevitably, when Prince Charles appealed for Murray's support in September, he joined him and was appointed Lieutenant-General. The other Lieutenant-General was the Duke of Perth.
The Jacobite victory on 21st September, 1745, at Prestonpans or Gladsmuir may be attributed to Murray. By his own estimates slightly more than a third of the Governments army was taken prisoner. Similarly, the success at Falkirk on 17th January, 1746, which prevented General Hawley's attempt to end the siege of Stirling, may also be credited to Murray.
It was Prince Charles who insisted on the advance into England, but it was his gneerals skill that out-manoeuvred Generals Wade and Ligonier. Again Murray ensured that the retreat from Derby was not a disaster. Prince Charles chose the site of the battle of Culloden himself, with advice from the incompetent Adjutant-General O'Sullivan. It provided no cover for the Jacobite army, whose 4,500 troops ahd to undergo a heacy artillery bombardment before a part of their strength was ordered to charge the 9,000 strong Government army under the Duke of Cumberland. Culloden was a disaster for the JAcobites and marked the end of any serious military activity by them. The battle was the only occassion when Prince CHarles himself was in command and his performance was what was expected from a commander whose military experience was limited to being a spectator at the siege of Gaeta during his childhood.
Murrays military ability could not retrieve the situation. After writing a strongly-worded letter of criticism to Prince Charles, condemning his failure to ensure full French support (for which the Prince never forgave him), he hid for eight months before once again going in to exile. He died at Medemblick in the Netherlands on 11th October, 1760. His son, John, who was always a supporter of King George became 3rd Duke of Atholl in January 1964.
With Prince James' permission, he returned from exile to say farewell to his dying father. In 1725, his brother James, a Government supporter, obtained his pardon and in gratitude, Murray avoided active politics until 1739. He then took the oaths of allegiance so as to help the election campaign of his half-brother, John, and in 1743 he kissed the hand of George II, a social necessity he took care never to repeat. Menawhile, his secret allegiance to Prince James was renewed in 1741.
On 25th July 1745, Prince Charles landed on the SCottish mainland. This marks th ebeginning of the Forty-five. When the Prince's standard was raised, it was held by Murray's eldest brother, William. Inevitably, when Prince Charles appealed for Murray's support in September, he joined him and was appointed Lieutenant-General. The other Lieutenant-General was the Duke of Perth.
The Jacobite victory on 21st September, 1745, at Prestonpans or Gladsmuir may be attributed to Murray. By his own estimates slightly more than a third of the Governments army was taken prisoner. Similarly, the success at Falkirk on 17th January, 1746, which prevented General Hawley's attempt to end the siege of Stirling, may also be credited to Murray.
It was Prince Charles who insisted on the advance into England, but it was his gneerals skill that out-manoeuvred Generals Wade and Ligonier. Again Murray ensured that the retreat from Derby was not a disaster. Prince Charles chose the site of the battle of Culloden himself, with advice from the incompetent Adjutant-General O'Sullivan. It provided no cover for the Jacobite army, whose 4,500 troops ahd to undergo a heacy artillery bombardment before a part of their strength was ordered to charge the 9,000 strong Government army under the Duke of Cumberland. Culloden was a disaster for the JAcobites and marked the end of any serious military activity by them. The battle was the only occassion when Prince CHarles himself was in command and his performance was what was expected from a commander whose military experience was limited to being a spectator at the siege of Gaeta during his childhood.
Murrays military ability could not retrieve the situation. After writing a strongly-worded letter of criticism to Prince Charles, condemning his failure to ensure full French support (for which the Prince never forgave him), he hid for eight months before once again going in to exile. He died at Medemblick in the Netherlands on 11th October, 1760. His son, John, who was always a supporter of King George became 3rd Duke of Atholl in January 1964.