2023

GEORGE WATSON...

Currency:GBP Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 GBP
GEORGE WATSON...
GEORGE WATSON
P.R.S.A (1767-1837)
FULL LENGTH PORTRAIT OF MAJOR GENERAL DUDGEON, 58TH REGIMENT OF FOOT
Oil on canvas
233cm x 151cm (92in x 59.5in)
Provenance: Dudgeon was born in 1780 and joined the 58th as an ensign in April 1800 almost immediately embarking with them for the invasion of French-controlled Egypt. He served at the captures of Cairo and Alexandria in 1801 and was promoted to Lieutenant during the same year. He served in Sicily and Italy in 1805/6 and during the Peninsular War at a variety of engagements including Badajoz, Salamanca, Madrid and Burgos. At the last action he was wounded twice - the second time severely and returned home to recuperate with the rank of Captain. Although he rejoined the 58th, he saw no more active service and after his promotion to Major in 1821 he benefited from the occasional block promotions to rise to the rank of Major-General in 1855. He died in Edinburgh in 1866.
Note: The portrait of Dudgeon probably dates from 1812 when he returned home from Spain to convalesce, and the pose, which is heroically martial, derives from contemporary works by Raeburn such as Major James Lee Harvey of the 92nd Regiment now in the MusŽe du Louvre, Paris.
£6,000-8,000