Captain Lord George Graham, 1715-47, in his cabin, William Hogarth, circa 1745. Repro ID: BHC2720 ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird CollectionIn William Hogarth, England at last found a native painter of varied and original genius. During his working life, the nation was also involved in conflicts in which command of the sea was of supreme importance.

Hogarth was a patriot and certainly knew the new generation of marine painters who celebrated this theme. He was also a Governor of the Foundling Hospital, a charity founded in 1739 by the philanthropist, Thomas Coram, who was himself a retired sea captain, shipbuilder and merchant. Poor boys placed in the Hospital’s care were raised for careers at sea.

An English squadron going to windward by Charles Brooking, 18th century. Repro ID: BHC1027. ©National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, LondonUnder Hogarth's initiative, leading artists donated works of art to the Hospital, to help raise its public profile and reflect its aims. They included major marine paintings by Monamy and Brooking. One of Brooking’s reduced versions of the large picture he painted for the Hospital in 1754 is shown.

Samuel Scott, in particular, was one of Hogarth's circle. In May 1732, Hogarth, Scott and three others went on their renowned 'Five Day’s Peregrination' – a drunken tour by land and water of the Thames and Medway estuaries. This became known through the published account written by Ebenezer Forrest.