19th Century English School    Portrait of an Officer of th...

Estimate

€2,000 - €3,000

19th Century English School   

Portrait of an Officer of the 59th Regiment of Foot in the 2nd China War c. 1858, O.O.C., in ornate gilt frame. 99cms x 87cms (39" x 34"). (1)

Provenance:
Swoon Art Gallery 2007. Private Collection.
Wearing a scarlet tunic with a high collar and epaulettes, this cheerful-looking army officer has a white shoulder belt, with a metal belt plate inscribed 'LIX' (59th) within a laurel wreath, surmounted by a crown. These gilt belt plates were often embellished with the names of places where the regiment had gained battle honours, such as Bhurtpore, Java, Peninsula, Nive, Vittoria Corunna etc. The identity of the officer is not known.
Formed in 1755, the 59th (2nd Nottinghamshire)  Regiment of Foot had seen service in many parts of the world. In 1849 they were part of a force dispatched to China following the First Opium War. Seven years later, following the burning of the 'thirteen factories' at Canton, the Second Opium War began and in January 1858, the 59th, along with units of the Royal Marine Light Infantry and the Royal Navy, occupied the city of Canton (Guangzhou). They encountered much resistance from the local population, which was countered with reprisals. The regiment was later in South Africa, and served in Afghanistan in 1878-1880, notably at the Battle of Ahmad Khel.

Dr. Peter Murray, 2023