A three-quarter length portrait to the left, showing Aylmer in armour, wearing a red sash and brown full-bottomed wig.
After military service in Ireland and at Tangier, Matthew Aylmer began his naval career as a midshipman in October 1677. He served in the galley ‘Charles’ in the Mediterranean, becoming lieutenant in her in April the following year. He was further advanced by his patron, Admiral Arthur Herbert, to captain of the ‘Chatham’ and other commands followed. The Glorious Revolution of 1688–89 proved favourable to Aylmer’s career. He was appointed to the ‘Mary’ on 22 December 1688 and saw action in her at the Battle of Bantry Bay on 1 May 1689, where the ship sustained significant damage. He commanded the ‘Royal Katherine’ at the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690 and the ‘London’ at the Battle of Barfleur in 1692. He was promoted rear-admiral on 8 February 1693 and vice-admiral that June. Political machinations at the Admiralty saw him withdraw from active service in November 1699, but he was recalled as commander-in-chief between November 1709 and January 1711 and again between 1714 and 1718. He was appointed governor of Greenwich Hospital on 6 November 1714. He died in post at the Queen’s House on 18 August 1720; he is buried in St Alfege’s Church.

This is a copy of a portrait by Lely which was in possession of the fifth Lord Aylmer in the early 19th century and is presumed to have been made shortly before he presented it to the Naval Gallery of Greenwich Hospital in 1837. It is likely he had it made for that purpose, to commemorate the sitter's role as second Governor of the Hospital from 1714 to his death. [PvdM 10/11]