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| Kneller sketch for portrait of Admiral Benbow 1701 |
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| Historical Portraits, 31 Dover Street, London, W1S 4ND http://www.historicalportraits.com/ |
Surviving drawings by Sir Godfrey Kneller are most frequently associated with portrait commissions. In terms of finish
they cover a broad spectrum, from the briefest preparatory sketches to more closely worked modelli. The present drawing is
an example of the more schematic treatments, in which Kneller can be seen in the process of resolving questions of pose and
composition with broad and sure strokes of the chalk. It is particularly satisfying, of course, when a drawing can be directly
linked with a known painting, as in the case of this present sketch. It rehearses the executed composition of the Portrait
of Vice Admiral John Benbow, as here shown brandishing a cutlass, now in the collection of the National Maritime Museum. This
portrait was one of a set of portraits of Admirals, divided between works by Kneller and Dahl, which was commissioned c.1700
by Prince George of Denmark. As a detail it is interesting that the features of the subject in the drawing are recognisably
those of Benbow as he appears in the finished painting, distinguishable by his bold and slanting eyebrows. This confirms that
the drawing is the result of a meeting between sitter and painter, and not a stock 'posture'.
| John Benbow Esq. Admiral of the Blue |
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| Engraved by W.T. Mote, based on Kneller, 1831 for Locker's |
"Perhaps no name is better remembered among our seamen than that of their ancient favourite, Benbow, whose death,
recorded in one of their most popular ballads, still cheers the middle watch of many a stormy night at sea."
(Edward Hawke Locker, The Naval Gallery of Greenwich Hospital, 1831)
| 1808 Naval Chonicle |
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| Engraved by H.R. Cook, based on Kneller's painting in the collection of Admiral Sir Peter Denis |
"From the admiral to the cabin-boy, the name of Benbow is so familiar to every individual in the navy, and his memory
is so often mentioned with respect and admiration, that no excuse can be requisite for presenting a condensed narrative of
his life and actions. We are the more induced to this from the circumstance of the original portrait of the admiral,
for which he sat to Sir Godfrey Kneller, being in our possession; by which we are enabled to prefix to the memoir the only
authentic engraved likeness of this officer now extant."
The Naval Chronicle, vol.XX, 1808, p.169.
| Donated by Admiral's sister to Town of Shrewsbury |
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| Courtesy of Shrewsbury Museums Service, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK |
"The Grand Jury room (Shrewsbury Town Hall) is decorated with portraits of Geo.I. and II. and one of the gallant Admiral
Benbow...the portrait of Benbow (was given) by the Admiral's sister, Mrs. Eleanor Hind." (Hugh Owen, Some Account of the
Ancient and Present State of Shrewsbury, 1808)
| Vice Admiral Benbow (for 1817 edition of Campbell) |
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| J T Wedgewood, engraver, based on Shrewsbury portrait |
| Vice Admiral Benbow: Gentleman's Magazine 1818 |
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| Engraved by James Basire and D. Parkes based on Shrewsbury painting |
Mr. Urban, Shrewsbury, May 6.
As your pages preserve the portraits, and record the noble actions of many of the valorous sons of Britain, both
naval and military, I wish to add another, in the renowned naval hero Admiral Benbow. The painting from which I copied
the enclosed drawing, is in the grand Juryroom of his native town, presented by his sister Mrs. Eleanor Hind."
D. Parkes
Gentleman's Magazine, 1819, p.9.
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