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A full-length portrait slightly to left in vice-admiral's full-dress uniform, 1783–1787, with the star and ribbon of the Order of the Bath and a white wig. His right hand rests on a long, tasselled cane and also holds orders clearly inscribed to him as Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies, 1778–1783: 'On His Majesty's (Service) to Sir Edward Hughes, KB Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Ships ordered to sail (to be) employed in the East Indies'. In the left background are his flagship, 'Superb', 74 guns, and another English ship at anchor. The uniform is the new type of flag officer's full dress, with its distinctive pattern of lace authorized in 1783 and which only lasted four years. Hughes was promoted lieutenant for his services under Admiral Edward Vernon at Porto Bello in 1740.
Reynolds became the first President of the Royal Academy in 1768 and was knighted in 1769. He was the most influential figure of the century in British painting and portraiture. The sitter, who was Admiral of the Blue at his death, bequeathed this portrait to Greenwich Hospital in 1794, though apparently informally or as a gift from his widow since they are not mentioned in his will.
Title
Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes (c.1720–1794)
Date
1786–1787
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 239 x W 148.5 cm
Accession number
BHC2792
Acquisition method
National Maritime Museum (Greenwich Hospital Collection)
Work type
Painting