Cleveland Museum of Art

Portrait Miniature of Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765)

Simon François Ravenet

Date

c. 1755

Medium

enamel

Culture

England, Battersea, 18th century

Department

Decorative Art and Design

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This portrait miniature depicts Prince William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland and the youngest son of King George II. During his lifetime, the prince was greatly admired for his role in putting down the Jacobite Rising and defeating Prince Charles at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Accordingly, he is depicted here in profile wearing a steel breastplate or cuirass, a fur cloak, and armor depicting a lion’s head along his shoulder. These characteristics suggest that the work was inspired by a series of medals produced in the mid-1740s celebrating the history of Great Britain and Ireland. The lion head depicted on the prince’s shoulder is a symbol of Great Britain.

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