Colonial America
Rare & Exceptional Mezzotint Reverse Painting on Glass of Major General Amherst c. 1758 French & Indian War Era
c. 1758 French & Indian War Period, Historic Hand-Painted Mezzotint Reverse Painting on Glass, “Major General (Jeffrey) Amherst” after Moorel engraved by Johnson, England, Framed, Very Fine.
Exceedinly Rare, original and highly colorful Mezzotint on Glass entitled, “Major General Amherst - Commander in Chief of his Majesty’s Forces on the Expedition against Montreal.” This painting was produced when Americans were still fully loyal subjects to the Crown as British Colonists. General Amherst Commanded the British Army in 1758-59 during the 7 Years War or French & Indian War, having success at Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Montreal. He was then appointed Governor-General of British North America, and in 1768 became Governor of Virginia.

This is an fully bold, bright image, with only some minor lifting of paint. A major crack in upper left corner of the glass is not affecting the paintings design and is located within the background sky. It measures 10” x 14” (by sight) and is nicely framed within a black and gold wooden frame to a size of 12.5” x 16.5” for its display.

Tag affixed to reverse reads: “AMHERST (Maj. Gen. Jeffrey) Major General Amherst, Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s Forces on the Expedition Against Montreal. Moorel pinxt., Johnson fecit. Full face, in uniform, left hand on hip, right hand holding a telescope, in the background a view of the battle. FINE COLOURED MEZZOTINT ON GLASS. [1758]. Size 10 x 14 ins., in black and gold frame. *** From the Collection of Sir Arthur du Cros, Bart., of Craigwell House, near Bognor-Regist, Sussex. King George V. spent his convalescence at Craigwell House after his serious illness in 1929. The glass is cracked across the top left-hand corner, fortunately not affecting the portrait itself. General Amherst took a most active part on the continent of North America. In 1758 he commanded the expedition which sailed from Portsmouth. He captured Louisbourg, Cape Breton Isle, and, after succeeding Abercrombie as Commander-in-Chief, took Fort du Quesne. He also took Ticonderoga and Crown Point and shared in the Capture of Montreal in 1759. He then became Governor-General of British North America, and was made a Knight of the Bath. He was later, in 1768, made Governor of Virginia.”