Captain arthur scott, 1718-1756
a half-length portrait slightly to the right in a blue coat and buff waistcoat, both edged with gold lace, the coat having a mariner's cuff. He wears a tie-wig. Scott was promoted by admiral thomas mathews in august 1743, to be captain of the 'rochester', 50 guns, in mathew's mediterranean fleet, 1742-44, which spent much of its time in hyeres bay blockading toulon, thus allowing this french artist time to paint a number of british officers involved. Scott was sent off on an independent service, and so missed the main action against the franco-spanish fleet in february 1744. Later in the year, he moved to the 'essex', 70 guns, after her captain, norris, had been relieved to face a court martial. In 1747 scott distinguished himself comanding the 'lion', 60 guns. In hawke's destruction of l'etenduere's squadron off cape finisterre. The following year he became commodore at the nore and in 1754 commissioner at chatham dockyard
the french-born artist worked exclusively as a portrait painter and spent most of his working life in provence. This is one of a group of portraits he painted of english naval officers while mathews' fleet was at hyeres bay. Given scott's movements it may have been painted or at least started in 1743 but finished at villefranche between 21 february and 22 march 1744, and it is signed and dated 'c. Arnulphy pinxt 1744'. Captain arthur scott 1718-1756. Object Type: painting. Genre: portrait. Date: 1744. Dimensions: Painting: 915 x 710 mm; Frame: 1173 mm x 938 mm x 100 mm. Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Royal Museums Greenwich. Captain Arthur Scott, 1718-1756 RMG BHC3017
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