[1] It depicts the British soldier Robert Monckton, noted for his service during the Seven Years' War.

Monckton had been second-in-command to James Wolfe during the Siege of Quebec in 1759 and was wounded at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

[4] It was an important early commission for the Pennsylvania-born artist coming soon after he had arrived in London.

Sir Joshua Reynolds encouraged West to exhibit the painting at the Society of Artists in 1764.

[4] A mezzotint was produced from the image by the Irish engraver James Watson, a copy of which is now in the British Museum.