Engraver
A. Birrell
, British, c.1770-c.1820
Title
Portrait of Louis de Berton, Duc de Crillon (1717-1796)Date1780s
MediumLine engraving
Dimensions
Sheet: 17.4 x 11.3 cm
Credit LineProvenance unknown
Object numberNGI.10516
DescriptionLouis des Balbes de Berton de Crillon (1717-1796) was the 4th Duke of Crillon and1st Duke of Mahon. He became a soldier at the age of 16 and served with distinction in the French army before transferring to Spain, which was allied with France for much of the eighteenth century. His most famous achievement was the successful invasion of Minorca in 1781. His armies defeated the British garrison and returned the island to Spain, although his efforts recapture Gibraltar from the British in 1782 failed.