Three soldiers in uniform [Bray album]

No. 72 of 74 (PAJ1976 - PAJ2049)

With the possible exception of the man in red, these appear to be continental - possibly German - rather than British soldiers. This is one four of the Bray drawings (PAF2045-2048) which have the distinctive 'frame', suggesting they have been transferred from another group. All are probably later than the main 1770s group both from the costume and style, which is more finished.

They are among 73 drawings by Bray (plus one signed 'NF 1782') preserved in a 19th-century album. They have now been separately remounted. Bray (1750-1823), was second lieutenant of the 44-gun ‘Pallas’ under Captain the Hon. William Cornwallis (1744-1819) – later a well-known admiral - on two voyages (1774-77) to report on British interests in West Africa, including the slave trade. The dated drawings refer only to the first of these, from December 1774 to September 1775, though a few may be from the second. Others comprise country views, some of Deal, Kent (where Bray may have come from), and others of social-history interest.

Object Details

ID: PAJ2047
Collection: Fine art
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gabriel Bray
Date made: Late 18th century
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Purchased with the assistance of the Society for Nautical Research Macpherson Fund
Measurements: Sheet: 127 x 80 mm; 482 x 317 mm