Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe (1726-1799) RMG BHC2789

Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe (1726-1799)
The NMM 'Concise Catalogue' calls this 'style of' Orme but without justification (though it may be based on a print published by or after Orme): the 1961 'Preliminary Catalogue' states 'unknown artist'. The latter notes that Howe is shown in the 1795-1812 admiral's full-dress uniform but that the sash of the Order of the Garter is over the wrong shoulder, although the Garter star is correctly on the left breast. He also wears the flag officer's gold medal and chain awarded for his victory as Commander-in-Chief at the Battle of 1 June 1794. The image cannot have been painted before 1797 and may be posthumous. The canvas was presented by Miss V. A. Blockley in 1950. [PvdM 7/11]