William Shirley
Shirley stands three-quarter length wearing a shoulder-length wig and embroidered suit lined with fur, his left hand tucked into his waistcoat and his right hand on a table near papers lettered Conservata and Expugnata. A curtain at left is drawn back to allow a view of ships on a bay at right. The print is based on a portrait by Thomas Hudson painted in 1750 (National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC); but dates in the inscription indicate a publication date at least nine years later during the Seven Year's War (French and Indian War).
Shirley became colonial governor of Massachusetts in 1741 and led British forces in challenging France for dominance in North America. He served as a strategist and diplomat and in 1744, during King George’s War (War of the Austrian Succession, 1744–48), organized a successful attack on the French fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia. Shirley then participated in negotiations in London leading to the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, at which time Thomas Hudson painted this portrait. The ships in the background recall Shirley’s use of naval forces during the war. At the outset of the French and Indian War (Seven Year's War) in 1755, Shirley commanded the British forces in North America but disputes over military and other matters led to his recall in 1757 as both Commander-in-Chief and governor. Later exonerated, he served as governor of the Bahamas from 1760–68.
Shirley became colonial governor of Massachusetts in 1741 and led British forces in challenging France for dominance in North America. He served as a strategist and diplomat and in 1744, during King George’s War (War of the Austrian Succession, 1744–48), organized a successful attack on the French fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia. Shirley then participated in negotiations in London leading to the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, at which time Thomas Hudson painted this portrait. The ships in the background recall Shirley’s use of naval forces during the war. At the outset of the French and Indian War (Seven Year's War) in 1755, Shirley commanded the British forces in North America but disputes over military and other matters led to his recall in 1757 as both Commander-in-Chief and governor. Later exonerated, he served as governor of the Bahamas from 1760–68.
Artwork Details
- Title: William Shirley
- Engraver: James McArdell (Irish, Dublin 1729–1765 London)
- Artist: After Thomas Hudson (British, Devonshire 1701–1779 Twickenham)
- Sitter: William Shirley (British, Preston Manor, Sussex 1694–1771 Roxbury, Massachusetts)
- Date: after 1759
- Medium: Mezzotint
- Dimensions: Sheet: 15 9/16 × 10 13/16 in. (39.5 × 27.5 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924
- Object Number: 24.90.693
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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