The artwork titled “Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth” is a portrait by Charles Turner, created in 1818. This piece is reflective of the Romanticism movement, a genre known for emphasizing emotion and individualism as well as glorifying the past and nature. The artwork falls under the genre of portraiture.
In this portrait, we see a full-length depiction of Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth, standing authoritatively. He appears to be on the deck of a ship, judging by the sailing ropes and what seems to be a mast towards the left side of the image. Pellew is depicted with his right arm extended, pointing into the distance, possibly giving a command or indicating a direction. His attire is that of a Naval officer, featuring a decorated uniform that includes medals, suggesting his high rank and the recognition of his achievements. His left hand rests on a sword, further highlighting his military stature. The background includes elements typical of naval scenes, such as the smoke, which probably indicates the battle atmosphere or the intensity of seafaring life. The mezzotint engraving technique used for this print enables a wide range of tonal effects, which emphasize the dramatic lighting and reinforce the Romantic characteristics of the era. The bottom of the artwork contains text, which is likely to provide further details about the portrait or the sitter’s accolades, but it is illegible in this image.
