The Subaltern

This fresh-faced tousled-haired officer in his red and yellow coat has a silver epaulette and a cross-belt showing a regimental badge believed to be from the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot. The 44th was raised in 1741 and was active in many campaigns. During the early 1800s, when this miniature was painted, the Regiment saw action in Egypt before embarking for North America where they saw action at the Battle of Bladensburg and the Battle of North Point in 1814 and the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

In fine condition with fresh colours, the portrait is set in a traditional papier-mâché frame with an emblems (rose, thistle and shamrock) hanger. Curiously on the reverse is an accomplished  pencil sketch of a gentleman’s head perhaps also drawn by Buck.

The younger son of an Irish silversmith, Frederick Buck (1765-1840) was a prolific and resourceful artist working mostly in his native Cork where his sitters comprised the local gentry and the passing military. He married twice and had at least eight children.

Ivory Exemption Ref.: 2KXMUAMJ