An oval bust-length portrait of Philemon Pownoll (b. in or before 1734, d. 1780) in profile to left wearing captain’s full-dress uniorm, 1767–1787, with a cockade hat and wig. Lettered beneath the image with the title, ‘Capt. Philemon Pownoll, Of his Majesty’s Ship Apollo, Slain in Fight On the 15th of June. 1780.’ Also lettered with the production and publication details: ‘J. Spilsbury Sculpt. / Publish’d Feby. 1 1781 as ye Act directs.’ This print was engraved and published by John Spilsbury (or possibly his brother Jonathan, who was also a printmaker) in 1781. The print commemorates the death of Captain Philemon Pownoll on 15 June 1780 in an engagement between his ship – the Apollo, 32 guns – and the French privateer Stanislaus off Ostend. Pownoll was a highly respected officer known for his considerate treatment of his men. Earlier in his career, he had commanded the sloop Favourite, in which he successfully captured a wealthy Spanish register ship, the Hermione, in May 1762. After Pownoll’s death, the action against the Stanislaus was brought to a successful conclusion by his first lieutenant, Edward Pellew, who wrote to the Admiralty that ‘The loss of Captain Pownoll will be severely felt….Never, my lord, was grief more poignant than that we all feel for an adored commander. Mine is inexpressible.’ Pellew became a celebrated frigate captain in the Napoleonic Wars, his success partly owing to the instruction that he had received under Pownoll. (Updated May 2019.)