Rectangular miniature in watercolour, with gum arabic, on paper in a gilded rectangular window mount. There is also a red leather case from which it has become separated, catalogued as MNT0077. The sitter is shown bust-length slightly turned to his left, but looking to the viewer, with a draped red curtain as background. He has auburn hair, blue eyes and wears the 1812-25 undress uniform of a rear-admiral with the collar and badge of Knight Commander of the Bath, and the star of another order [TBC]. On the back is an old inscription, possibly by the artist though omitting his usual middle 'C' initial: 'J. D. Engleheart / Pinxit / 1823 /London / 70 Berners St.'

Eyre was the fourth and youngest son of politician Anthony Eyre and entered the Navy in 1782 under in the 'Resistance', 44, under James King, sailing for the West Indies. The following year he was involved in Nelson's abortive attack on Turk's Island, and after the close of the America Revolutionary War in 1783 he continued to serve in various ships on the North American and West Indies stations. He was in Lord Howe's flagship, 'Queen Charlotte' when made lieutnant in 1790. On the outbreak of war with France in 1793 Eyre was appointed to the' St George', flagship of Rear-Admiral John Gell, a relation, in the Mediterranean, and took an active part in the siege of Toulon in 1793 where he attracted Lord Hood's attention, who moved him into his flagship 'Victory' . After the fall of Toulon he was appointed commnder in the sloop 'Speedy', succeeding George Cockburn, and assisted at the capture of Bastia, Corsica. Then ordered to Nice, he ran into the French Toulon fleet on the way: the 'Speedy' was taken and Eyre imprisoned until exchanged in May 1795. After further service in the sloop 'Albacore', Eyre became post-captain in June 1796 in the 20-gun 'Prompte' and sailed again for the West Indies, where he took part in capture of St Lucia and was advanced to the 'Regulus', 44. In her he won both recognition and considerable prize money in a number of minor engagements, returning home in 1799. Although he briefly commanded the 120-gun 'San Josef' in the Channel in 1801, his next appointment was to the 'Ardent', 64, in July 1806 and then the new 74-gun 'Magnificent'. In her he served first in the Channel and, from June 1807, under Collingwood in the Mediterranean. From June 1809 to early 1811 he was Commodore commanding in the Adriatic, capturing the Ionian Islands except Corfu, which he blockaded: Hoste's victorious frigate action over the French at Lissa in 1810, further north, was a result of Eyre's detachment of him there. Eyre was subsequently very active under Pellew on the south coast of Spain but returned to England for his health in 1812, after five years abroad. He was immediately knighted for his Mediterranean service and appointed KCB in 1815. He became a rear-admiral on 12 August 1819, but declined an early flag command for personal reasons. In 1823, however, he became a successful and diplomatic commander-in-chief on the South American station, until returning home in late 1826. Though then offered command at Lisbon, he declined for health reasons and retired ashore. He had married in 1800, had eight children, and had advanced to Vice-Admiral of the Red by the time he died at Carlton, Derbyshire, on 15 November 1839.

J. C. D. Engleheart (1784-1862) was the nephew and pupil of the better known George Engleheart, but also a successful miniaturist. His colours tend to be darker and he favoured this rectangular format. This example was originally lent to the Museum by Miss Doreen Taylor in 1949 and was presented by her in 1962