English School 18th.Century Red Chalk Drawing. Traditionally held to be a Portrait of Hannah Snell "The Female Soldier". 12 by 17 cms sheet. 19.2 by 24 cms Overall in 18th.Century ebonised fruitwood frame. Provenance: Sir Robert Robinson (1886-1975) of Gt Missenden Bucks. 1947 Nobel Prizewinner.
Hannah Snell (1723-1792) in pursuit of her errant husband, donned Male attire and served more than two years in a regiment of Marines under the alias of James Grey. Finally announcing to her disbelieving shipmates that she was in fact a woman. After an exciting active military career she successfully lobbied for a military pension and is one of only two women to have been buried at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.




