Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
- Artist: Thomas Gainsborough
- Date: circa 1780
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 29 7/8 in. x 24 7/8 in. (760 mm x 631 mm)
- Portrays: Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
Thomas Gainsborough’s oil portrait of Field Marshal Jeffrey Amherst, first Baron Amherst, shows the commander in a feigned oval frame. The crisp brushwork and warm light highlight his broad jacket and polished hat, underscoring his rank. Amherst led British forces in North America during the Seven Years’ War, notably the 1760 invasion of Canada, and later policies that sparked Pontiac’s War from 1763‑1766. This portrait captures him at mid‑age, ready to command.
See it in person
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
