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A three-quarter-length portrait slightly to the left facing to right in captain's (over three years) undress uniform, 1748–1767. This uniform was introduced in 1748 immediately before the portrait was painted. In the right background the ships of his squadron are shown together with the 'Centurion', 54 guns, flying his commodore's broad pendant. Keppel, the second son of the Earl of Albemarle, was one of a powerful Whig family of Dutch origin, who came to England with William III. In 1740 he served under Anson in the 'Centurion' on his four-year voyage round the world. At the Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759, Keppel commanded the 'Torbay', 74 guns, and played a notable part by sinking the French 'Thesée', 74 guns. In 1761 he commanded the naval forces at the capture of Belle Ile and in the following year was second-in-command to Sir George Pocock at the capture of Havana.
This portrait was probably painted at Port Mahon, Minorca, when Reynolds accompanied Keppel to the Mediterranean on a mission to negotiate against the depredations of Barbary corsairs. Lord Edgcumbe had introduced Reynolds to Keppel in early 1749 and on 11 May the painter sailed with him from Plymouth for Minorca. He spent the rest of the year there, painting portraits of the British garrison. This was the first of many portraits of Keppel painted by Reynolds and marked the beginning of a close lifelong friendship between them.
Title
Commodore the Honourable Augustus Keppel (1725–1786)
Date
1749
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 127 x W 101.6 cm
Accession number
BHC2821
Work type
Painting