Cornwallis was a man who could have thrust his hand in a flame if necessary, but not a man to organize the logistics and arrangements of a large campaign with a likely risk of failure. The smooth face in the Gainsborough portrait with no lines of thought or of frowns or of laughter-with no lines at all-tells as much. It is a face composed by a life of comfort and satisfaction without any need of desperate attempts. As
Barbara W. Tuchman presents Cornwallis as a complex figure in her book "The First Salute: A View of the American Revolution." She describes him as someone willing to take risks, exemplified by his readiness to face danger, yet lacking the organizational skills necessary for managing a large-scale military campaign that could lead to failure. This dichotomy highlights a significant limitation in his capabilities as a leader.
Tuchman's portrayal of Cornwallis is further elaborated through his portrait by Gainsborough, which reflects a life of ease and tranquility. The lack of expression on his face symbolizes his comfort and satisfaction, suggesting a man who has not been hardened by struggle or adversity. This serves to express Cornwallis's inability to cope with the complexities and pressures of wartime leadership.
