About this artwork

Born near Fochabers, Morayshire, William Marshall had a long and distinguished record as a soldier, reaching the rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1838. He served with the 79th Regiment of Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, seeing action in many conflicts including the battle of Alexandria, at Copenhagen in 1807, and the Peninsular War from 1810-14. In the Waterloo campaign he was severely wounded at ‘Quatre Bras’ and had his right arm amputated. He was awarded a pension of £100 per annum and served for three years with the army of occupation.

Updated before 2020

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William Wood

William Wood

Born in Suffolk, William Wood entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1785, and exhibited his miniatures at the Academy from 1788-1807. After studying and imitating the fashionable miniatures painted by Richard Cosway, he enjoyed a successful and prolific career in London. His ledger book survives and lists the 1211 miniatures he painted from 1790-1807, averaging nearly sixty works a year. It also provides important information regarding his painting techniques, which included his willingness to change coiffures and military uniforms on request.