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Notes
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The painting shows a small Royal Naval vessel with George III on board, leaving Portsmouth. The likely occasions are during one of his visits, over several days, to review the fleet at Spithead in June 1773 (though not the review day itself on 22nd June) or in May 1778. However, on both occasions, he is only recorded as using the royal yacht 'Augusta' which had four guns in the broadside (eight in total) while the vessel shown has seven (14 in total). While the ship's decoration suggests it is a yacht, none of the time had that armament, so its identity and the exact occasion remain to be clarified, as a marine painter is unlikely to have made errors in such details. Naval ships lying in Spithead in the right distance are shown firing salutes.
Title
British Warship Leaving Portsmouth Harbour
Date
c.1775
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 35 x W 56 cm
Accession number
FA1991.47
Acquisition method
purchased, 1991
Work type
Painting
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