Lot Essay
Said never to have suffered a defeat in battle, Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill (1772-1842), fought with distinction in Egypt, in the Peninsula War and at Waterloo. He was a great personal favourite of George IV and when the Duke of Wellington became Prime Minister in 1828, Lord Hill was appointed 'General Commanding-in-Chief' of the army - a post he held for over fourteen years. At the time of Hill's death the Duke wrote of the loss of 'my old companion and friend'. At Waterloo during the final attack of the Imperial guards, Hill narrowly escaped death when, at the head of the brigade, his horse was shot five times. Wellington wrote in his Waterloo despatch 'I am particularly indebted to General Lord Hill for his assistance and conduct on this as on all other occasions'.
Richmond made Hill's portrait in 1834, when the sitter was 52 years old. The artist's accounts record that this was sold on 3rd November, 1834, for seven guineas, and that a duplicate, made in May 1835, was sold for the same amount. A drawing in the National Portrait Gallery, London, cat 1055, is the preliminary study for these two portraits. The present drawing is the duplicate portrait by Richmond, the one engraved by E. Finden for the Life of Lord Hill. Rev. Edwin Sidney, Lord Hill's chaplain and biographer, wrote: 'The personal appearance of Lord Hill at the later period of his life, is admirably represented in the portrait by Richmond, engraved for this volume. It is a happy likeness of him as he was seen in those circles where he was best know, during the time he was Commander-in-Chief; and it is also more in unison with the simplicity of his character and taste, than if he had been taken, covered with the honours conferred on him for his deeds of arms ... His complexion was florid; his eye bright, and full of benevolence. His whole demeanour indicated kindness and modesty, rendering him extremely approachable, but mingled with a dignified firmness ...
Richmond has portrayed Hill wearing the red ribbon of the Bath, with which he was invested at Wellington's headquarters at Elvas on 10th March, 1812, shortly before the Battle of Almarez.
The frame bears Richmond's label for his portrait of Mrs Gore Currie, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1835, no. 605
Richmond made Hill's portrait in 1834, when the sitter was 52 years old. The artist's accounts record that this was sold on 3rd November, 1834, for seven guineas, and that a duplicate, made in May 1835, was sold for the same amount. A drawing in the National Portrait Gallery, London, cat 1055, is the preliminary study for these two portraits. The present drawing is the duplicate portrait by Richmond, the one engraved by E. Finden for the Life of Lord Hill. Rev. Edwin Sidney, Lord Hill's chaplain and biographer, wrote: 'The personal appearance of Lord Hill at the later period of his life, is admirably represented in the portrait by Richmond, engraved for this volume. It is a happy likeness of him as he was seen in those circles where he was best know, during the time he was Commander-in-Chief; and it is also more in unison with the simplicity of his character and taste, than if he had been taken, covered with the honours conferred on him for his deeds of arms ... His complexion was florid; his eye bright, and full of benevolence. His whole demeanour indicated kindness and modesty, rendering him extremely approachable, but mingled with a dignified firmness ...
Richmond has portrayed Hill wearing the red ribbon of the Bath, with which he was invested at Wellington's headquarters at Elvas on 10th March, 1812, shortly before the Battle of Almarez.
The frame bears Richmond's label for his portrait of Mrs Gore Currie, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1835, no. 605