File:Vice-Admiral John Benbow, 1653-1702 RMG BHC2546.tiff

A three-quarter-length portrait to right, head slightly to left, in a dark brown coat, breastplate and short brown full-bottomed wig. He holds a hanger in his right hand and his left hand rests on a cannon. His flagship, flying blue at the fore, is in the right background.

The son of a Shrewsbury leather tanner, Benbow went to sea in the merchant service and served as a navigating master before he rose to commissioned rank as a captain in 1689. His bravery and professionalism subsequently won him rapid promotion under William III. He was Master Attendant at Chatham and Deptford Dockyards, 1690-96, and Master of the Fleet in the Battles of Beachy Head, 1690, and Barfleur and La Hogue, 1692, continuing thereafter in fighting service. At the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession, the danger to English planters and traders in America became critical and he fought to prevent the destruction of English and Dutch trade on the Spanish Main. He died at Jamaica, in his second tour of duty as commander-in-chief in the West Indies, 1701-02, after he lost a leg in a celebrated action against the French squadron of Admiral du Casse. In this Benbow was left unsupported by several of his captains - two later being shot for cowardice - and became the hero of popular song and story. Kneller's image, however, rather belies his reputation as the archetypal 'tarpaulin' commander, whose rough tongue was in part responsible for the alienation of his subordinates.

This portrait is one of nine by Kneller and seven by Michael Dahl commissioned by Queen Anne and her husband and Lord High Admiral, Prince George of Denmark, of the leading admirals of her reign (1702-14). When presented to Greenwich Hospital in 1824 by George IV, the set also included a three-quarter-length portrait of George himself in Garter robes by Dahl. All were transferred to the Museum's care as part of the Greenwich Hospital Collection except the portrait of George, which remains on loan to the Old Royal Naval College from the Hospital. The painting is signed and inscribed 'John Benbow, Vice-Admiral of the Blew'.