Sir Charles Hardy

London: Published by Robert Wilkinson, No 58 in Cornhill, 1779. Mezzotint. State ii/ii with the engraved inscription. The name of the sitter in closed thick and thin letters, his titles in script strengthened to right. In good condition with the exception of some minor creases reflective of the age of the print. Small margins outside the plate mark on all sides. A small tear into the image on top margin and a small crease along upper left corner. Bottom left corner has been skillfully repaired. Image size: 12 1/2 x 9 7/8 inches. A lovely proof impression of a striking portrait of Sir Charles Hardy, then governor of New York.

Dawe's portrait of Charles Hardy depicts the admiral in full military regalia in front of the scene of his victory over the French and Spanish fleets. Hardy had a long and distinguished military career that took him to Georgia and the Carolinas to protect sea trade against Spanish privateers and ultimately saw him in command of the Channel Fleet when Augustus Keppel retired. In 1755 he was appointed governor of New York and in 1758 his fleet transported the colonial forces to the attack on Louisbourg. Under Sir Peter Warren, Hardy took an active role in the harbor blockade at Louisbourg. Upon assuming command of the Channel fleet, he successfully deterred, through clever maneuvering and strategic advantage, an invasion attempt by the French and Spanish fleet. (DNB)

Chaloner Smith, British Mezzotinto Portraits 4, ii/ii; O'Donoghue, Catalogue of Engraved British Portraits... in the British Museum 1; Lennox-Boyd & Stogdon, state ii/ii.