Overall: 84cm (33in) x 64cm (23.5in)
Mezzotint. Pope Pius VI receiving the Officers of the 12th Light Dragoons. Engraved by Samuel William Reynolds (1773-1835) after James Northcote RA. Published by S. W. Reynolds, London, 1813.
The scene depicted took place in the summer of 1794 when the 12th Light Dragoons were stationed at Italian coastal town of Civitavecchia, following the expedition to Corsica where they fought dismounted alongside Royal Navy units and partisans against the French occupation. Word of the good conduct of the regiment reached Pope Pius VI who announced his intention of presenting gold medals to twelve officers. In addition, he granted an audience to three officers, Major Robert Browne, kneeling, Captain Michael Head and Lieutenant the Hon Pierce Butler. The figure to the right of the officers, dressed in civilian clothes, is thought to be Mr Jenkins, an English gentleman resident in Rome. The Pope ‘received them in the most gracious manner and, taking a helmet in his hands, expressed the wish ‘that Heaven would enable the cause of Truth and religion to triumph over injustice and infidelity’. He then placed the helmet on Capt. Browne’s head’.
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Colonel Robert Browne afterwards commanded a cavalry brigade in the Egypt campaign of 1801, comprising the 12th Light Dragoons, detachments of the 11th and 26th Light Dragoons, and horse artillery. Browne’s brigade captured several French detachments and 500 camels. He was also present at Rhamanie and Cairo, and appointed Commandant at Rosetta.