A half-length portrait of Richard Howe, Earl Howe (1726–1799) in admiral’s undress uniform, 1787–1795, with a naval engagement in the background. Lettered beneath the image with the title and dedication to Vice-Admiral Richard Braithwaite: ‘The Right Honble. Richd. Earl Howe. Admiral of the White & Vice Admiral of Great Britain. From a Picture in the Possession of Vice Admiral Braithwaite, To whom this Plate is most Respectfully Dedicated By his Obliged Humble servts. Laurie & Whittle.’ Also lettered with the production details and publication line: ‘P. Mequignon pinxt. / Robt Laurie fecit. / Published 1st July, 1794, by R. Laurie & J. Whittle, No. 53, Fleet Street, London. / Successors to the late Mr Robt. Sayer.’ This portrait was engraved by Robert Laurie after a copy by Peter Mequignon of after John Singleton Copley’s bust-length oil painting of around 1790. A version of Copley’s painting is now in the National Maritime Museum (see BHC2790). The print was published by Robert Laurie and James Whittle on 1 July 1794, one month after Howe’s famous victory over the French at the Battle of the Glorious First of June. As a result of this victory, Howe became a popular celebrity, generating considerable demand for portrait prints of the admiral. (Updated June 2019.)