A full-length portrait of Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth (1757–1833) in admiral’s full-dress uniform, 1812–25, wearing the ribbon of the Order of the Bath over the ribbon of the Sicilian Order of Saint Ferdinand with the stars of both orders on his left breast and the cross of the Sardinian Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus on a ribbon around his neck. He stands on the deck of ship between a mast and a cannon with the ship’s rigging, plumes of smoke and distant flames in the background. He holds a telescope in his in his right hand and points upwards with his left. The background alludes to Pellew’s bombardment of Algiers in August 1816, which led to the rescue of 3000 Christian slaves. Lettered beneath the image with the title and a lengthy description: ‘The Right Honourable Edward Lord Viscount Exmouth Baron Exmouth of Canonleigh, a Baronet & L.L.D. Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his Majesty’s Fleet, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Sicilian Order of Saint Ferdinand and Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of Saint Maurice and Lazare of Sardinia, Knight of the most Honourable & Ancient Order of the Annunciation of Savoy and Sardinia, Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of William of the Netherlands, and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal and distinguished Order of Charles the 3d of Spain, towards the close of the evening, ordering the sails of the Queen Charlotte to be handed in, in consequence of the burning of an Algerine Vessel immediately under her stern.’ Also lettered with the production details and publication line: ‘Painted by Sir Wm. Beechey, R.A. Painted to Her Majesty. / Engraved by C. Turner, Warren Street, Fitzroy Square. London, Published April 1. 1818. for the Proprietor by C. Turner, 50, Warren Street, Fitzroy Square.’ This print was engraved and published by Charles Turner in 1818 after an oil painting by William Beechey. Beechey’s painting was produced for the Ironmonger’s Company (who still hold the work) and exhibited in 1817 at the Royal Academy. The Ironmonger’s Company commissioned Pellew’s portrait in recognition of his efforts to liberate Christian slaves at Algiers. The Company managed a fund for the payment of ransoms for British slaves in the Barbary States. This fund had been bequeathed to the Company in 1723 by one of its members, Thomas Betton, who had himself been captured by Barbary pirates. (Updated May 2019.)