A bust-length portrait of Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth (1757–1833) in admiral’s full-dress uniform, 1812–25, wearing the ribbon of the Order of the Bath over the ribbon of the Sicilian Order of Saint Ferdinand with the stars of both orders on his left breast and the cross of the Sardinian Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus on a ribbon around his neck. He rests both hands on the hilt of his sword. The portrait is surmounted by naval emblems, including a capstan, a cannon, cannon balls, an anchor, a flag and a sword. Below the portrait, there is a view of Pellew’s bombardment of Algiers in August 1816 with a scrolling border and flanked by two sailors. Lettered beneath the image with the title, ‘Viscount Exmouth, G. C. B.’, and a subtitle under the naval engagement: ‘Lord Exmouth Destroying the Pirate Vessels in the Hole of Algiers. Augt. 27th 1816.’ Also lettered with the production details and publication line: ‘Painted by W. Owen RA. / Engraved by J. Rogers. / J. & F. Tallis, London & Glasgow.’ This portrait is after William Owen’s oil painting of 1818, which is now in the National Maritime Museum (see BHC2685). The publishers, John Tallis & Co., were active in the late 1830s and 1840s. (Updated May 2019.)
Technique includes stipple.