Sylvia,
I had a quick look on the NMM site to see if they had any other drawings by Collingwood, but apparently not. I must say his portrait of Nelson is not flattering!
The NMM site quotes Mary Moutray, in whose company the portrait was made. 'When the laughter which this created was over, Captain Nelson said 'And now, Collingwood, in revenge, I will draw you in that queue of yours' [Nelson had no queue at the time, his hair having been cut short owing to fever and illness] in which he caught with considerable success the features of his friend'. It is actually a silhouette, and is, indeed, nicely drawn, and is often featured in biographies.
I recently came across two sketches by Nelson, in Naish's 'Nelson's letters to his wife' - one of a new uniform epaulette that had to be ordered, and one of the chelengk that he had been given. They are roughly done, but have a confidence of execution that makes me wonder whether Nelson had innate but undeveloped artistic talent.
On a wider issue, I am always intrigued at the artistic skill of many officers. I have a book 'Fleet Battle and Blockade' which has a great number of paintings, drawings and watercolours, some very fine indeed, made by officers in numerous parts of the world.
Lt. Beechey, son of the famous portrait painter, William Beechey was a naval officer who made wonderful drawings and paintings on the expeditions he joined.
I also have a copy of 'The Lady's Magazine' for November 1784 which has an article on Cook's Voyage to the Pacific Ocean with the promise in a future edition of a drawing of the 'Poybird' 'with which the Captain has favoured us'. I wonder whether Cook himself or another officer drew this.
This tradition of artist/officers seems to continue to this day. I remember at the time of the Falklands War, an officer who had been stationed there some time beforehand was able to offer his paintings, drawings and sketches of the territory and shoreline to the MOD!
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