Oil paint on canvas
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/thomas-gainsborough-199" aria-label="More by Thomas Gainsborough" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Thomas Gainsborough</a>
Admiral Sir Charles Thompson Bt
Bequeathed by Sir Edward Stern 1933
actions: postures and motions
adults
clothing and personal items
individuals: male
leaning
man
military
named individuals
objects
people
portraits
rocky
sailor
scientific and measuring
sea
seascapes and coasts
standing
telescope
Thompson, Charles, Admiral Sir
uniform / kit
work and occupations
painting oil paint canvas
Admiral Sir Charles Thompson, Bt
support: 1270 × 1016 mm
Bequeathed by Sir Edward Stern 1933
<p><b>N04690</b> ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES THOMPSON, BART. 1774
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<br/>Oil on canvas, 50 × 40 (127 × 101.8)
<br/>Bequeathed by Sir Edward Stern to the National Gallery, with life interest to his widow, 1933. Transferred to the Tate Gallery 1979
<br/><i>Prov:</i> ...; Agnew's; Sir Edward Stern by 1933.
<br/><i>Lit</i>: J.E. Wessely, Richard Earlom, Hamburg, 1886, no.53; E.K. Waterhouse, Gainsborough, 1958, p.92, no.664, pl.161.
<br/>
<br/>An <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/e/engraving" title="Glossary definition for 'Engraving'"><span>engraving</span></a> of 1800 by Richard Earlom states that the picture was painted in 1774, the year Gainsborough moved from Bath to London. The sitter is shown in three-quarter length, leaning against a rock, with sea and ships in the background. He is wearing a captain's uniform and holds a telescope in his left hand. Admiral Thompson (c.1740–1799) was promoted Captain in 1772, Rear-Admiral 1794 and Vice-Admiral 1795; he was made a baronet in 1797.
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<br/><b>Published in:</b>
<br/><i>The Tate Gallery 1978-80: Illustrated Catalogue of Acquisitions</i>, London 1981
<br/></p>

Catalogue entry
2004-10-06T00:00:00
catalogue-entry
CATALOGUE_ENTRY
actions: postures and motions adults clothing and personal items individuals: male leaning man military named individuals objects people portraits rocky sailor scientific and measuring sea seascapes and coasts standing telescope Thompson, Charles, Admiral Sir uniform / kit work and occupations