General Sir Archibald Campbell, 1739 - 1791. Soldier
About this artwork
Archibald Campbell's military career reflects the close relationship between Britain's empire and its armed forces. The son of the chamberlain to the Duke of Argyll, Campbell was educated at Glasgow University and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. As an officer of the Engineers, he took part in expeditions to the French Coast and the West Indies, seeing action in Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia and Grenada. After secondment in Bengal and a command in the American Revolutionary War, he returned to the Caribbean as lieutenant governor and then governor of Jamaica, spending four years on the Island and reorganising its defences. He finished his career as governor of Madras, returning to Scotland shortly before his death in 1791.
Romney's portrait shows Campbell at the end of his life. He wears his Major General's uniform and Star of the Order of the Bath, the rewards of imperial service symbolised by Fort George, Madras, in the background.
Updated before 2020
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artist:George Romney (1734 - 1802) English
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title:General Sir Archibald Campbell, 1739 - 1791. Soldier
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date created:Unknown
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:60 x 48 cm; Framed: 154 x 122 x 5 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Bequeathed by Mrs Campbell of Canna, 2006
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accession number:PG 3419
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
George Romney
George Romney
Romney was born in Dalton-on-Furness, the son of a cabinet-maker. He was apprenticed for two years to a travelling portrait painter, Christopher Steele. After working independently in Kendal and Lancaster, Romney moved to London in 1762, hoping to become a history painter. This was unrealistic...