An oval bust-length portrait of Richard Kempenfelt (1718–1782) in rear-admiral’s undress uniform, circa 1774–83. Lettered beneath the image with the title, ‘Richard Kempenfelt Esqr. Rear Admiral of the Blue Squadron’, and the publication details, ‘Ridley sc / Pub by Bunney & Gold 103 Shoe Lane 1 June 1802.’ This print was engraved by William Ridley. The portrait is derived in reverse from Tilly Kettle’s full-length oil painting of early 1782 (see BHC2818), probably via an earlier engraving (see, for example, PAG7211). Ridley’s print was published by Joyce Gold and John Bunney, the publishers of the ‘Naval Chronicle’, in June 1802. It appeared as an illustration in volume 7 of the ‘Naval Chronicle’ (January–June 1802) on page 365, together with ‘Biographical Memoirs of Richard Kempenfelt, Esq. Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron’ (pp. 365–71). Kempenfelt died in August 1782, drowning along with over 800 others when his flagship, the ‘Royal George’, 100 guns, sank at Spithead. He was rear-admiral of the blue at the time of his death (the title of his biography in the ‘Naval Chronicle’ mistakenly refers to him as ‘Rear-Admiral of the White’, a rank he never held). (Updated April 2019.)