Hannah Snell (1723–1792) (after Richard Phelps)
attributed to Daniel Williamson (Liverpool 1783 – Liverpool 1843)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1750 (bears inscriptions on reverse and dated)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
298 x 248 mm (11 3/4 x 9 3/4 in)
Collection
Hatchlands Park, Surrey
NT 1166899
Caption
After being abandoned by her husband in 1745, Hannah Snell dressed as a man to pursue him and was press-ganged into the army. She then joined the Marines and fought in India against the French. After five years she returned to London and revealed her secret. Her story became a best seller and she went on stage dressed as a marine, thrilling the audience with her adventures. She was granted an army pension and died in Bedlam asylum in 1792.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Hannah Snell (1723–1792) (after Richard Phelps), attributed to Daniel Williamson (Liverpool 1783 – Liverpool 1843), bears inscriptions on reverse and dated 1750 after the original painting [inscribed date is impossible for attributed artist; could be an earlier namesake]. A half-length portrait to right, head turned to viewer, wearing a scarlet or British Army red coat and waistcoat, and holding a cane under her left arm. There is a mezzotint by John Faber in the National Portrait Gallery after a lost original painting by Richard Phelps, 1750 which looks like the prototype for this later version.
Provenance
Given by the artist to his son Reuben Williamson (according to inscriptions on reverse); thence by descent until 1886; purchased by the National Trust in 1982 from a private owner.
Marks and inscriptions
Verso: on back top rail of frame: Hannah Snell Painted by my Great Grandfather/Served as a Private Soldier/1745/Daniel Williamson 1750 Verso: on top strut of stretcher: Belongs to Reuben Williamson/left to me by my father Verso: on bottom strut of stretcher: in the year 1745/Hannah Snell w[as?]/Private/Soldier/in engagement/Daniel Williamson pinxt 1750 Verso: on right-hand strut of stretcher: Hannah Snell born James St. Worcester 1723/Painted by my great grandfather/Daniel Williamson 1750/ enlisted as a soldier. served as a private soldier 1745 and Died 1792/Aged 69 Verso: on left stretcher: First painted by Daniel Williamson/Given to his son Reuben Williamson/Given to my great aunt Mary. Died October 1834/Then given by Aunt Reuben to Robert Williamson/Above written by him 1886
Makers and roles
attributed to Daniel Williamson (Liverpool 1783 – Liverpool 1843), publisher after Richard Phelps (Porlock c.1710 - Porlock 1785), publisher