Richard Cosway R.A. 1742-1821

with powdered hair, wearing a red coat with gold buttons, and a white jabot, gold frame

Admiral Sir Eliab Harvey;
by family descent

Richard Morris O.B.E., Merchants Medicine and Trafalgar, The History of the Harvey Family, 2007, p. xii

The colours are fresh and strong. There is very minor fading overall. There are some areas of slight pigment loss at the lower frame edge which appears to have taken place when the miniature was first framed. This does not detract from the image and is only visible on very close inspection. In general the work remains in very good condition and has been very well preserved. Held in a glazed gold frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Eliab Harvey was born on 5 December 1758. Having enrolled in the Navy on his fourteenth birthday, he was first at sea in 1773. Over the following twenty years he spent periods with the Channel Fleet and in North American waters being promoted to Captain in 1783. Following the death of his elder brother, in April 1779, Harvey had unexpectedly inherited a substantial fortune. 

During his maritime career Harvey also entered Parliament as one of the Members for Essex between 1780 and 1820.

In November 1803 Harvey was appointed to the Temeraire (98 guns) which formed part of Nelson's fleet at Trafalgar. As the second ship of the weather column, immediately behind Victory, Harvey soon saw action. The deadly broadsides of Temeraire resulted in Harvey capturing two French ships, the Redoutable and Fougueux. The Temeraire was herself badly damaged but struggled through the ensuing storm to reach Gibraltar where repairs were made and the ship was eventually returned to Portsmouth. Harvey and his crew were fêted as heroes. He was promoted to Rear-Admiral, and his ship was later immortalised in Turner's picture: The Fighting Temeraire.

In 1809 Harvey was court-martialled for using insulting language to his commander-in-chief, Lord Gambier, after not being put in command of the attack on the Basque Roads.  He was dismissed from HM service, but a year later was reinstated, although he never held active command again. He was promoted Vice-Admiral in 1810, created KCB in January 1815, and advanced to full Admiral in 1819.
Both Harvey's sons pre-deceased him and he died on 20 February 1830. We thank Richard Morris for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.