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Lot Essay
The sitter was one of the most popular military figures of his generation, and an important figure in the history of the Scots Guards. Born to an old Kent family, Kingsley entered military service shortly after coming of age, probably in 1721, joining the 3rd Foot Guards (now the Scots Guards). He fought with distinction in the War of Austrian Succession (1740-8), being present at the Battles of Dettingen (the last time that a British monarch led his troops into battle) and Fontenoy. At the latter battle, a cannon-ball passed between his legs and killed four men behind him. By the end of the war, Kingsley had reached the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and in 1756 was made Colonel of the 20th Foot (Lancashire Fusiliers, later the disbanded 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers). James Wolfe, the future hero of Quebec, wrote of him: 'Our new Colonel is a sensible man, and very sociable and polite'. The Seven Years War (1756-63) put Kingsley back on the battlefield. He greatly distinguishing himself at the battle of Minden, where 'Kingsley's Grenadiers' as the 20th was popularly called, is said to have fought among some rose gardens or hedges (a custom commemorated for the rest of the regiment's history by the wearing of 'Minden Roses' in the cap on the anniversary of the battle). The regiment's casualties were so severe that it was excused from all further duty. A general order three days later announced that 'Kingsley's regiment of the British line will resume its share of duty at its own request'. Kingsley was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General in December 1760, later in the same year that the present picture was painted. The Seven Years War was Kingsley's last, and he died at his home, Kingsley House, Maidstone, aged over seventy.
This picture was one of the four works exhibited by Reynolds at the first ever exhibition of contemporary art in Britain, held by the Royal Society, in 1760. It was referred to then in a critique in The Imperial Magazine as 'A Gentleman, General Kingsley - and to say it is known by everybody is no praise at all'. The 1951 exhibition, held to commemmorate the centenary of the Great Exhibition, noted that: 'It was through the exhibition of these pictures that Reynolds' name first became known to the public.'
This picture was one of the four works exhibited by Reynolds at the first ever exhibition of contemporary art in Britain, held by the Royal Society, in 1760. It was referred to then in a critique in The Imperial Magazine as 'A Gentleman, General Kingsley - and to say it is known by everybody is no praise at all'. The 1951 exhibition, held to commemmorate the centenary of the Great Exhibition, noted that: 'It was through the exhibition of these pictures that Reynolds' name first became known to the public.'