A three-quarter-length portrait of Richard Edwards, Admiral of the Blue. He faces left and wears a flag officer's full-dress uniform 1767-83, with his hat and cane in his right hand. The background shows the coast of Newfoundland, where he fulfilled the seasonal appointment of Governor and Commander-in-Chief, 1778-81. He became Commander-in-Chief at the Nore in 1788. The painting is signed, dated and inscribed: 'N. Dance, pt, 1780 Rear-Admiral Richard Edwards, Esq.'

The artist worked with Pompeo Batoni in Rome and on his return to London in 1765 achieved success as a portrait and history painter. In 1768, he joined a group of artists who successfully petitioned George III to establish the Royal Academy in that year. The painting has been signed by the artist and dated 1780.