Admiral Vernon

Date1745-1765

After work by Thomas Gainsborough

Engraver James McArdell (1710 - 1765)

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint enrgaving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall (Trimmed): 14 × 10in. (35.6 × 25.4cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1990-68

DescriptionLower margin reads: "T. Gainsborough Pinx.t/ J.s M.cArdell fecit/ Admiral Vernon."
Label TextAdmiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757) served with the Royal Navy. He was renowned for capturing Portobelo (Portobello or Porto Bello in present-day Panama) from the Spanish during the War of Jenkins' Ear in 1739. The Spanish were unprepared for the attack and surrendered after the second day. He was called "Old Grog" because he was allegedly first to issue the drink known as "grog" - rum diluted with water - which was how the British Navy continued to distribute "rum rations" to sailors until 1970. This print, is based on a painting by Thomas Gainsborough, depicts Vernon near a cannon with a ship and outline of a fort in the background.
ProvenancePrior to 1990, The Book Press, Ltd. (Williamsburg, VA); 1990-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).