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Lieutenant George Belson, Corps of Marines, Chatham, c. 1780 (oil on canvas)
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Lieutenant George Belson, Corps of Marines, Chatham, c. 1780 (oil on canvas)
5929295 Lieutenant George Belson, Corps of Marines, Chatham, c.1780 (oil on canvas) by Livesay, Richard (1753-1826); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Lieutenant George Belson (1763-1855), Corps of Marines, outside the Guard Room of the Marine Barracks, Chatham, 1780 (c).
Oil on canvas by Richard Livesay (1753-1826), 1780 (c).
George Belson was commissioned into the Corps of Marines as a second lieutenant on 6 May 1778 and served with the Chatham Division.
The Corps of Marines (later the Royal Marines) was instituted in 1755 to provide military support aboard Royal Naval vessels in time of war. Organised into the three port-based divisions of Portsmouth, Plymouth and Chatham, at first the Corps had no established barracks. Instead the men were billeted in public houses when ashore. The barracks at Chatham was completed in September 1779 and the portrait may record Belsons promotion to lieutenant on 6 July 1780, outside the new building.
In 1791 Belson was appointed to Barrack Master of the Royal Marines at Chatham and four years later he became captain on half-pay. He continued to serve in this post at the same rank until 1832 and died in 1855, aged almost 90.
Richard Livesay was a pupil of Benjamin West and drawing master to the royal children from 1790 until 1793. He exhibited 69 paintings at the Royal Academy between 1776 and 1821, including many small full-length portraits of Army and Navy officers like this. From 1796 he was drawing master at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, and he painted and engraved many marine subjects and military reviews.); eNational Army Museum; English, out of copyright
Media ID 22324438
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The captivating oil on canvas print titled "Lieutenant George Belson, Corps of Marines, Chatham, c. 1780" showcases the esteemed officer in all his military glory. Painted by Richard Livesay in 1780, this portrait immortalizes Lieutenant George Belson (1763-1855) outside the Guard Room of the Marine Barracks at Chatham. Belson's commission into the Corps of Marines as a second lieutenant in May 1778 is a testament to his dedication and skill. Serving with the Chatham Division, he played an integral role in supporting Royal Naval vessels during times of war. Prior to the completion of barracks at Chatham in September 1779, marines like Belson were billeted in public houses when ashore. This painting may commemorate Belson's promotion to lieutenant on July 6th, 1780, against the backdrop of the newly constructed building. In later years, he was appointed as Barrack Master for the Royal Marines at Chatham and eventually became captain on half-pay. Richard Livesay masterfully captured not only Lieutenant George Belson but also numerous other Army and Navy officers throughout his career. As a pupil of Benjamin West and drawing master to royal children from 1790 until 1793, Livesay exhibited several paintings at the prestigious Royal Academy between 1776 and 1821. This remarkable print serves as a window into history—an homage to Lieutenant George Belson's unwavering service and dedication to duty within one of Britain's most esteemed military institutions—the Corps of Marines.
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