$5,581
Attributed to Thomas Bardwell (British, 1704-1767) Vice Admiral Edward Vernon, Commander in Chief in the West Indies (British, 1684-1757) Unsigned, identified on labels affixed to the stretcher. Oil on canvas, 49 x 40 in. (124.5 x 101.5 cm), framed. Condition: Lined, retouched, craquelure. N.B. Thomas Bardwell began his career as a painter of decorative panels for his familys business in Suffolk. By the late 1730s his interest had shifted to portraiture. In 1756 he published "Practice of Painting and Perspective Made Easy," in which he discusses his own technical approach towards painting. After touring Scotland from 1752-53, Bardwell settled in Norwich where he enjoyed a successful tenure as an in demand portrait artist until his death.The sitter in the portrait presented here is English Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757). He is depicted in a stately Napoleonic pose, clad in a traditional naval uniform and gripping what is assumed to be a telescopic instrument. Admiral Vernon is perhaps best remembered for implementing a method of ration in which he mixed his crews supply of rum with water in order to prevent drunkenness. The ship depicted to the Admirals right bears the British flag and his admiralty pennant, and is probably the HMS Burford . Mount Vernon, home to Lawrence Washington and later George Washington, was named after Admiral Vernon, who served under Lawrence prior to the revolution.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2006-03-03
