Lewis Guy Phillips (1831-1887) soldier: “Order at Wimbledon”

Carlo ("Ape") Pellegrini (1839 - 1889)

Chromolithograph

24 July 1880

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Art Collection
    This cartoon shows Grenadier Guardsman Colonel Lewis Guy Phillips in his military uniform consisting of a frock coat, a regimental neck-tie and trousers with crimson stripes. He appears to be carefully observing something through his monocle, with his hands at the back, adopting a pose reminiscent of that of a scholar. Phillips joined the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards in 1859 and served in the British Army until 1885 when he retired. He was educated at Eton and Christchurch College, Oxford and was multilingual (speaking  Greek, German, Italian and French) and travelled extensively. 

    The accompanying biographical note in Vanity Fair, where the illustration originally featured, reads:

    'A good cricketer, a wonderful runner, and a marvellous boxer… Although blessed with a knowledge of modern tongues that would have benefited the Diplomatic Service, he chose the Army as a serious profession… He is an acute bibliophile… He has never broken the eleventh commandment, and possibly for this reason, he has never been married'. 



  • About the artist
    Carlo Pellegrini, born in Capua, in Italy, was descended from an aristocratic family. He was just five feet two inches, with a large head and small feet. He became a popular figure of Neapolitan society, producing humorous caricatures of friends, despite apparently having no artistic training. In 1860 he joined the forces of Garibaldi and fought against the Bourbons. He then left Italy, arriving in London in 1864, where he joined the Prince of Wales’ set. His first illustration for ‘Vanity Fair’ was commissioned by T. G. Bowles in 1868 and he continued to work for Bowles under the ‘nom de crayon’ Ape. Influenced by Whistler, he unsuccessfully attempted to paint portraits. He produced 332 ‘Vanity Fair’ caricatures before his death, aged 49.
  • Explore
    People
    Lewis Guy Phillips (1831 - 1887)
    Places
    Subjects
    male portrait, sideburns, moustache, 19th century costume, military uniform, monocle, captain (army), cartoon
    Materials & Techniques
    lithograph, chromolithograph
  • Details
    Artist
    Carlo ("Ape") Pellegrini (1839 - 1889)
    Title
    Lewis Guy Phillips (1831-1887) soldier: “Order at Wimbledon”
    Date
    24 July 1880
    Medium
    Chromolithograph
    Dimensions
    height: 32.90 cm, width: 18.30 cm
    Acquisition
    Transferred from HM Revenue and Customs, December 2012
    Provenance
    HM Revenue and Customs, Somerset House; transferred to GAC 2012
    GAC number
    18467