An oval half-length portrait slightly to right of Edward Hawke (1705–1781) wearing a wig and the ribbon and star of the Order of the Bath. Lettered beneath the image with the title: ‘Sr. Edward Hawke, Knight of the most Honourable Order of the Bath and Rear Admiral of the White Squadron of His Majesties Fleet’. Also lettered with the production details: ‘G. Knapton Pinxt. / Js. McArdell Fecit.’ This portrait was engraved by James Macardell after a painting by George Knapton. Hawke is represented as a Knight of the Bath, indicating that the print postdates his appointment to the Order in November 1747 after commanding the victorious British fleet at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre (14 October 1747). He is shown wearing non-uniform clothing, suggesting a possible date before the introduction of naval uniform in April 1748. Furthermore, the caption refers to Hawke as ‘Rear Admiral of the White’, a rank he held from July 1747 until May 1748, when he was promoted to vice-admiral of the blue. Thus this print was presumably produced around late 1747 or early 1748. (Updated May 2019.)