Print after William Hamilton. Curtis is shown in captain's uniform against a background of the defence of Gibraltar from attack by Spanish floating batteries in 1782. In this he distinguished himself - mainly by his efforts to save enemy lives in what was for them a disastrous operation. He was at the time captain of the frigate 'Brilliant', though serving ashore under General Eliott as Governor of Gibraltar in the rock's defence, and he was knighted for his part in it after Lord Howe's relieving fleet broke the long Spanish siege. Although the print was made in 1783 it is probably from or at least related to the oil portrait that Hamilton exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1784 (no.321). [PvdM 3/19]