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 Admiral of the Blue Squadron of His Majesties Fleet.’ Also lettered with the publication details: ‘Knapton Pinxt. / Wilson Fecit / Printed for Robt Sayer opposite Fetter Lane, Fleet Street.’ This print was engraved by James Wilson and published by Robert Sayer. It was derived from an earlier mezzotint engraved by the London-based printmaker James Macardell in 1747/8 after a painting by George Knapton (see PAF3453). Wilson altered the sitter’s face, replaced Macardell’s name with his own and changed the print’s inscription. The new inscription refers to Hawke as ‘Admiral of the Blue’, which was his rank between February 1757 and October 1762. During this time, he was commander-in-chief of the victorious British fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay on 20 November 1759. (Updated May 2019.)