Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue
Richard Kempenfelt (1718-1782), Admiral
- Gallery portraits
- All known portraits
- Biography and References
1768
Painting by Tilly Kettle, Admiral Samuel Cornish in his cabin with his secretary Thomas Parry, issuing orders to Kempenfelt, who stands on the left in captain’s uniform. Private collection, commissioned by Thomas Parry, formerly at Highnam Court (illus. J. D. Milner, 'Tilly Kettle', Wal. Soc., XV, 1927, pl.XXI; G. C. Williamson & Lady Victoria Manners, John Zoffany, R.A., his life and works, 1920, f.p.40 as Zoffany). Exhibited Society of Artists, London, special exhibition 1768 (58) and 1769 (75). Kempenfelt served as flag-captain under Cornish at the reduction of Manila in 1762.
1781-82
Painting by Tilly Kettle, whole length wearing an undress flag officer’s uniform. National Maritime Museum (BHC 2828), bequeathed by the sitter’s brother. Exhibited RA 1782 (5); Second special exhibition of National Portraits (William and Mary to MDCCC), South Kensington, 1867 (735). Engraved as a three-quarter length with a different background by R. Earlom 1782, showing the blue flag on the mizzen (third) mast (as befitted a rear-admiral of the blue) and the boat called Royal George, though this lettering is half erased. A copy of Earlom’s print painted by H. Paterson 1841 is in Admiralty House, Portsmouth. The figure alone was engraved as a half length by W. Ridley 1802, H. Robinson 1837, and served as the basis for several anon. and second-rate prints published following Kempenfelt’s death.
1782
Anon. engraving, From an original Painting, crude bust-length oval in flag-officer’s coat (London Mag.).
1783
Painting by Ralph Earle, see NPG 1641.
A monument by John Bacon jr. 1808, incorporating Kempenfelt’s soul bound for heaven, is in Westminster Abbey.
Doubtful Portraits
Unattributed half-length in captain’s uniform, with Woodward of Cheltenham in 1891 (Sir George Scharf's Trustees' Sketch Books, 36/19) and with Drummond, London, 1991; by ‘Van der Gucht’, bust-length in civilian dress, sold Christie’s, 3 March 1967, lot 141.
This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Ingamells, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, National Portrait Gallery, 2004, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.
Painting by Tilly Kettle, Admiral Samuel Cornish in his cabin with his secretary Thomas Parry, issuing orders to Kempenfelt, who stands on the left in captain’s uniform. Private collection, commissioned by Thomas Parry, formerly at Highnam Court (illus. J. D. Milner, 'Tilly Kettle', Wal. Soc., XV, 1927, pl.XXI; G. C. Williamson & Lady Victoria Manners, John Zoffany, R.A., his life and works, 1920, f.p.40 as Zoffany). Exhibited Society of Artists, London, special exhibition 1768 (58) and 1769 (75). Kempenfelt served as flag-captain under Cornish at the reduction of Manila in 1762.
1781-82
Painting by Tilly Kettle, whole length wearing an undress flag officer’s uniform. National Maritime Museum (BHC 2828), bequeathed by the sitter’s brother. Exhibited RA 1782 (5); Second special exhibition of National Portraits (William and Mary to MDCCC), South Kensington, 1867 (735). Engraved as a three-quarter length with a different background by R. Earlom 1782, showing the blue flag on the mizzen (third) mast (as befitted a rear-admiral of the blue) and the boat called Royal George, though this lettering is half erased. A copy of Earlom’s print painted by H. Paterson 1841 is in Admiralty House, Portsmouth. The figure alone was engraved as a half length by W. Ridley 1802, H. Robinson 1837, and served as the basis for several anon. and second-rate prints published following Kempenfelt’s death.
1782
Anon. engraving, From an original Painting, crude bust-length oval in flag-officer’s coat (London Mag.).
1783
Painting by Ralph Earle, see NPG 1641.
A monument by John Bacon jr. 1808, incorporating Kempenfelt’s soul bound for heaven, is in Westminster Abbey.
Doubtful Portraits
Unattributed half-length in captain’s uniform, with Woodward of Cheltenham in 1891 (Sir George Scharf's Trustees' Sketch Books, 36/19) and with Drummond, London, 1991; by ‘Van der Gucht’, bust-length in civilian dress, sold Christie’s, 3 March 1967, lot 141.
This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Ingamells, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, National Portrait Gallery, 2004, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.