SAMUEL COTES (1734-1818)
Captain George Lewis, portrait miniature by Samuel Cotes, 1764
( United Kingdom
1764
)
Medium
watercolour on ivory in gilt-metal frame
Signed/Inscribed/Dated
Signed with monogram on obverse and dated 1764
Dimensions
38.00mm high
( 1.50 inches high)
Provenance
Private collection
Condition:
excellent
Description / Expertise
Samuel Cotes, 1764 Captain George Lewis (1735-1791), of the Royal Artillery, one of Britain’s leading heroes of the American War of 1775-83, wearing blue uniform with red facings and gold lace, gold epaulette, frilled lace cravat Signed with initials and dated on the obverse, set in the original gilt-metal frame with rope twist border, the reverse engraved Col George Lewis RA/ Die 1791/ Aged 56
As a major and lieutenant colonel, he commanded the 480 odd Royal Artillerymen who helped defend Gibraltar during the great siege that began in June 1779. He began his military career as a lieutenant-fireworker in the Royal Artillery on March 1, 1755. Promotion to second lieutenant came on April 1, 1756 and to first lieutenant on February 1757. He must have been an able officer, as he made captain-lieutenant on January 4, 1758 and captain on June 11, 1762. He received a brevet promotion to major on August 29, 1777 and a regular promotion to that grade on December 3, 1781. He made full colonel in the Royal Artillery on May 14 1790 and died the following year. John Singleton Copley made a study of George Lewis in preparation for painting his epic canvas, “The Seige of and Relief of Gibraltar” which was unveiled in 1783
Guide Price gbp 5500.00 (Pound Sterling)
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