A half-length, full-face portrait showing Duff in his admiral's undress uniform, 1891-1921 pattern, with medal ribbons and the star of the GCB. The painting is signed and dated: 'John A.M. Hay, 1925'.
Alexander Ludovic Duff joined the Navy as a ‘Britannia’ cadet in 1875 and saw service as a midshipman in the Mediterranean, 1877–81. He was a sub-lieutenant on the royal yacht ‘Victoria and Albert II’ and promoted lieutenant in September 1884, serving in the ‘Agamemnon’ and the ‘Imperieuse’ on the China station. He specialized in torpedoes. He was promoted commander in 1897 and captain in 1902. In 1910 he was appointed commodore of the naval barracks at Portsmouth and, a year later, became director of naval mobilization. Appointed rear-admiral in March 1913, he returned to sea in the 4th battle squadron of the Grand Fleet in October 1914. He flew his flag in the ‘Superb’ at Jutland. In December 1916, drawing on his accumulated expertise, he went back to the Admiralty as director of the anti-submarine division, improving convoy protection and joining the Board of Admiralty in 1917.
He was promoted vice-admiral and knighted in 1918. Duff was appointed commander-in-chief of the China station in 1919 – a post he held until 1922. He was made full admiral in 1921 and retired in 1925.