Officer of the 48th Regiment of Foot by Buck

An unidentified officer of the 48th Regiment of Foot painted by the Irish artist Frederick Buck in around 1800.

Beautifully framed within a gold coloured metal frame, to the reverse a fine arrangement of the sitter’s hair with seed pearl embellishments laid over a panel of opaline glass backed by an embossed foil.

2 7/8 in x 2 1/2 in (exc. suspension)

48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot was raised in 1741 during the War of Austrian Succession. Following garrison duties in the West Indies between 1796 and 1797, the regiment moved to Gibraltar in 1799, then to Minorca and Malta the following year. In 1803 the regiment formed a second battalion; both being deployed to the Peninsular War fighting at Talavera and Albuera; the regiment awarded a battle honour for its heroics at Talavera (1809). By 1811, the 2nd Battalion was so reduced that its survivors were absorbed into the 1st Battalion, being disbanded three years later. The 1st Battalion remained in the Peninsula until the end of the war seeing action at Badajos (1812), Salamanca (1812), Vitoria (1813), Nivelle (1813) and Toulouse (1814).

Frederick Buck was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1771. He was the younger brother of the highly regarded artist, Adam Buck and probably learned his trade at the Dublin Society’s drawing school where a pupil of his name was entered in 1783. He practised as a miniature painter in his hometown for many years; firstly in Mardyke Street, and then Fen’s Quay before George’s Quay from where he worked for many years.
The Peninsular War was good for Buck, Cork being a busy port of embarkation of the troops. During these years Buck was asked to record the likeness of so many officers and others, and in such short time, that he kept partially prepared ivory panels to which he could simply add the appropriate head and regimental facings; the resulting immediacy of his portraits making them popular then as now. Frederick was successful in his profession and was able to retire some years before his death. His last address was in Buckingham Square.

The ivory registered with DEFRA.