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Notes
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Although this painting bears Peter Monamy's signature below the buoy on the right it is unlikely that he was responsible for more than the marine background, since he is not otherwise known to have painted portraits. The figure of Berkeley is therefore assumed to be painted by an unidentified copyist, based on Kneller's 'kit-cat' half-length of about 1710, now in the National Portrait Gallery. He is shown in three-quarter-length, to right, wearing a red velvet coat laced with gold and a brown full-bottomed wig. He also wears the Order of the Garter to which he was appointed in 1718 and carries a baton in his right hand. Berkeley distinguished himself at the Battle of Malaga, 1704, while commanding the 'Boyne', 80 guns. In 1719, he was appointed Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Navy and Fleets and this gave him the right to fly the Lord High Admiral's flag, seen on his flagship on the right, although he was not the Lord High Admiral (a royal office held in commission after the death of Queen Anne's husband, Prince George of Denmark, in 1708).
Monamy, a self-taught artist, was influenced by van de Velde the Younger, and may have worked in his studio. The painting is signed ' P. Monamy pinx.' and another similar copy, also signed by him, is recorded. It is possible that, for whatever reason, they were made for Berkeley (a Whig) at the time of his appointment in 1719, or for officers serving under him. Monamy, whose naval clientele tended to be those of Whig persuasion, would have been the obvious choice to do the marine part and may have organised the work, signing it as 'master' in that capacity as much for being of the better known co-executant. This version was presented to Greenwich Hospital by Lady Hardy, wife of its Governor, Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, in 1838.
Title
Admiral James Berkeley (1680–1736), 3rd Earl of Berkeley
Date
1720
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 127 x W 101.5 cm
Accession number
BHC2552
Acquisition method
National Maritime Museum (Greenwich Hospital Collection)
Work type
Painting
