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A three-quarter-length portrait of traditional 'kit-cat' size (36 x 28 inches). Pearson sits to the left in captain's (over three years) full-dress uniform of 1774 to 1787 with a tie wig and a sword visible on the right. As a lieutenant in the East Indies he did well during the Seven Years' War, where he was severely wounded. He was subsequently unable to obtain a commission because his senior officers twice died before they could fulfil their promises. He finally obtained post rank as a captain in 1773. In 1779, in command of the 'Serapis', 44 guns, and escorting a large convoy from the Baltic, he was attacked off Flamborough Head by an American rebel squadron under John Paul Jones in the 'Bonhomme Richard', 42 guns. This famous action ended in Pearson surrendering the 'Serapis' to Jones but not before his spirited defence had covered the escape of the valuable convoy. For this reason he was considered a hero. He was knighted, received presents from the merchants and the freedoms of several towns. This portrait was painted soon after this famous action and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1780. In 1800 Pearson became Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital.
Title
Captain Sir Richard Pearson (1731–1806)
Date
1780
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 91.5 x W 71.1 cm
Accession number
BHC2942
Work type
Painting
