An oval bust-length portrait of Samuel Hood (1724–1816) in admiral’s undress uniform, 1787–1795, but with the addition of epaulettes of the 1795–1812 pattern bearing a single star. Lettered beneath the image with the title, ‘Lord Hood’, and the production and publication details, ‘Painted by F. Abbott Esq. / Engraved by P. Roberts / Published by H.D. Symonds 20 Paternoster Row March 1, 1800.’ This print was engraved by Piercy Roberts after an original painting by Lemuel Francis Abbott and published by Henry Delahoy Symonds on 1 March 1800. Abbott was commissioned by the Corsican Parliament House to paint a portrait of Samuel Hood upon the latter’s return from the Mediterranean in October 1794. Hood had occupied Corsica at the invitation of the island’s President Pasquale Paoli. However, by the time the portrait was finished, Corsica had been recaptured by the French and the painting passed into the sitter’s family collection; it is now at Loders Court. The portrait was engraved by Valentine Green in December 1795 (see PAJ2671). Abbott also produced a three-quarter-length copy of the picture, possibly for John McArthur, the founder editor of the ‘Naval Chronicle’, which is now in the National Portrait Gallery. Abbott’s painting showed Hood wearing admiral’s undress uniform of the 1787–1795 pattern and therefore did not include epaulettes, which were not introduced into naval uniform until 1795. Roberts has added epaulettes to Hood’s uniform in this print but he has wrongly included only a single star on the epaulettes, denoting the rank of rear-admiral; as a full admiral, Hood was entitled to three stars. (Updated May 2019.)