Circle of Arthur William Devis (1762-1822)

Circle of Arthur William Devis (1762-1822)
Portrait of General Alexander Ross (1742-1827), Half-length, Wearing Uniform
Oil on canvas
76.5 x 64cm; 30 x 25¼in

Provenance:
Charles Ross (1799-1860), son of the sitter, and Lady Mary Cornwallis (1804-1872), granddaughter of General Sir Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis;
And by family descent

Ross's career spanned major conflicts of the later Georgian era. He entered the Army at the age of 18, joining the 50th Regiment of Foot. He rose steadily through the ranks, serving nobly in the War of Independence and later in campaigns associated with the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Capable, dependable and sagacious, Ross's experience earned him steady promotion to the rank of General (1812) and throughout his service he showed great efficiency in the training, organisation and management of regiments. He had married Isabella Barbara Evelyn, daughter of Sir Robert Gunning, Bt. in 1795 and Ross's close friendship with Lord Cornwallis (see lot 182) was reflected in the three volumes of correspondence between the two men (edited by his son Charles in 1859).