Lot 240: JOHN WOLLASTON

JOHN WOLLASTON BRITISH FL. 1738 - 1775 PORTRAIT OF CAPTAIN SAUMAREZ (1710-1747) oil on canvas 127 by 102.5 cm.; 50 by 40 1/4 in.

Anonymous Sale, London, Christie's, 11 May 1951, lot 134 (sold 16 gns. as Hudson);
Anonymous Sale, London, Christie's, 30 January 1987, lot 166 (Sold as Circle of Thomas Hudson)

Philip Saumarez was appointed third lieutenant on the Centurion in 1739, later captaining the Sandwich and the Nottingham. He died in 1747 trying to intercept the the Intrépide and Tonnant at the second battle of Cape Finisterre, whilst serving under Vice-Admiral Hawke. He is posthumously remembered for regularising naval uniform, as the standard 1748 issue design was a modified version of the dark blue uniform he had designed the year before.