Colonel Ernst August von Hugo and Lt. Colonel von Schlepegrell - John Singleton Copley

A detailed oil study by John Singleton Copley, depicting two Hanoverian officers for his large-scale history painting of the Siege of Gibraltar.

This work is a study for the monumental painting, The Siege and Relief of Gibraltar, commissioned by the City of London in 1783. John Singleton Copley, an American painter who moved to London, was tasked with capturing the scale of the conflict. This specific canvas focuses on the heads of two Hanoverian officers, Colonel Ernst August von Hugo and Lieutenant Colonel von Schlepegrell.

Copley employs a direct, observational approach in this study. The figures are rendered with a focus on individual character and military bearing. The artist uses a palette dominated by the deep red of the military uniforms, contrasted against a neutral, unfinished background. The brushwork remains visible, particularly in the handling of the faces and the fabric of the coats. This technique provides insight into Copley's working method, where he prepared individual portraits before integrating them into a larger, complex composition.

The composition is tight, focusing on the profiles and three-quarter views of the two men. Their expressions are distinct: one looks upward with a sense of alertness, while the other gazes forward with a steady, composed demeanour. The inclusion of preliminary sketches at the bottom right of the canvas reveals the iterative nature of Copley's process. By isolating these figures from the chaos of the battlefield, the artist creates a focused psychological study of military leadership. The work remains a primary example of the preparatory rigour required for large-scale history paintings of the eighteenth century. It offers a glimpse into the technical precision that defined Copley's career after his relocation to Britain, where he became a member of the Royal Academy.