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Admiral Thomas Mathews (1676-1751), 1743 (oil on canvas)
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Admiral Thomas Mathews (1676-1751), 1743 (oil on canvas)
7337968 Admiral Thomas Mathews (1676-1751), 1743 (oil on canvas) by Arnulphy, Claude (1697-1786); 127x101.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Claude Arnulphy
A three-quarter-length portrait, almost full-face, in a blue coat with mariner's cuffs and a red waistcoat, both frogged with gold. He wears a short, white full-bottomed wig and holds a telescope in his right hand, his left hand resting on a cannon. The portrait was painted when the sitter was Vice-Admiral of the Red and Commander-in-Chief of the English Mediterranean fleet, 1742-1744. The background shows the fleet at anchor in Hyeres Bay, Toulon, with Lestock's flagship 'Neptune', 90 guns, and units of his squadron on the right; the stern of Mathews's flagship 'Namur', 90 guns, on the extreme left of the picture. This portrait was painted just before his unfortunate encounter with the Franco-Spanish fleet off Toulon in which only one enemy ship was taken. Mathews was hindered by the disobedience of his second-in-command, Lestock. At the subsequent court martial, Mathews was held to be chiefly responsible for the failure of the action, and was cashiered.); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38286080
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning portrait captures Vice-Admiral Thomas Mathews in all his glory, painted by Claude Arnulphy in 1743. Mathews is depicted in a blue coat with gold frogging, a red waistcoat, and a short white wig - the epitome of maritime fashion of the time. His right hand holds a telescope while his left rests on a cannon, showcasing his authority and command.
The background of the painting shows Mathews's fleet anchored in Hyeres Bay, Toulon, with ships like Lestock's flagship 'Neptune' and Mathews's own flagship 'Namur'. This was painted during Mathews's tenure as Vice-Admiral of the Red and Commander-in-Chief of the English Mediterranean fleet from 1742 to 1744.
However, this portrait also symbolizes an unfortunate event in Mathews's career - his failed encounter with the Franco-Spanish fleet off Toulon. Despite capturing only one enemy ship due to disobedience from his second-in-command Lestock, Mathews was held responsible for the failure and subsequently cashiered after a court martial.
This painting serves as both a tribute to Admiral Thomas Mathews's distinguished naval career and as a reminder of the challenges he faced during his service. It is now housed at the National Maritime Museum in London where it continues to tell the story of this complex historical figure.
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