Engraving of three officers of the Hopetoun Fencibles, by John Kay

Add to album

The officers are Major Pilmer, Francis, 7th Lord Napier, and Major Clarkson. Lord Napier and Major Pilmer served in North America during the War of American Independence, and Lord Napier was taken prisoner at Saratoga in 1777.

Major Pilmer was famous for his old and battered boots which were much repaired.

John Kay was born near Edinburgh in 1742. A keen artist from childhood, he was a barber until 1785 when he became a full-time engraver and painter of miniatures. His portraits of Edinburgh characters are vivid and unmistakable.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-000-100-226-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: The Thistle at War
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  Lib.1640.160
• Date: 1795
  
• Material: Paper
  Print / portrait
  
• Dimensions: 280 mm H
  
• What: Print / portrait
  
• Subject: Prints
  
• Who: Hopetoun Fencibles
  John Kay (artist)
  Lord Napier
  Major Clarkson
  Major Pilmer
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh (depicted)
  
• Event:
• Description: Portrait of three officers of the Hopetoun Fencibles - Lord Napier, Major Pilmer and Major Clarkson - by John Kay, Edinburgh, 1795. From Kay's Portraits. Volume I, Plate CLX.
  
• References:
  • Kay, John A series of original portraits and caricature etchings with biographical sketches and anecdotes 2 volumes Edinburgh: Hugh Paton, 1837-38 
• Translations:
• Related Records: