Rusty and Kate Donohue
Americana Antiques

This important and well-known painting was exhibited at The Royal Academy in 1787 (cat. no. 15), and was so popular that Smith engraved and published a fine mezzotint from it on May 12, 1788. In response to popular demand, it was re-issued in later editions, both authorized and unauthorized, on both sides of the Atlantic. Images of sentimental departure or return scenes were enormously popular during this period. 

This painting shows a British cavalry trooper saying farewell to his sweetheart before departing for battle or active service, perhaps in America.  He wears the bearskin-crested helmet and short, round jacket first adapted by the British light dragoons during the Revolutionary War.  In the background are a dragoon on guard duty and a trumpeter relaxing in front of a row of tents.

See The Royal Academy of Arts, VII (London, 1906), 185; and Richard Opfer auction catalog, March 18, 2004.

Oil on wood panel, 15" x 12", in the original carved and gilded frame.  Painting offered together with the framed engraving shown.

Price:  $9,500                       KR-44-30

John Raphael Smith was born in Derby, son of landscape painter Thomas Smith who was known as "Smith of Derby."  In London at age sixteen, Smith tried his hand at engraving and discovered mezzotinting.  Nearly 400 mezzotints by Smith are recorded, most being of the highest quality from paintings by Reynolds, Romney, and Morland, and other well-known painters.  Smith exhibited regularly in oil, crayon, and mezzotint, also contributing regularly at The Royal Academy from 1779-1805.