This print is based on a miniature of the sitter also in the Museum (MNT0089), this copy being presented with it by the same donor in 1978. It originally accompanied a memoir of Shortland published in the 'Naval Chronicle' for 1810, just after his death. The original was most probably painted at Halifax, Nova Scotia, by Field - who then worked there - probably in late 1807 or early 1808 since it shows only the right epaulette, indicating a captain of under three years' seniority. The engraver has here added the left epaulette, since Shortland was a senior captain by the time he died of wounds at Basseterre in the West Indies in January 1810.