Old Master and British Paintings

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Lot 129
  • 129

John Vandiest

Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description

  • John Vandiest
  • Portrait of Captain Forrest R.N.

  • oil on canvas

Provenance

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 30 January 1987, lot 172

Catalogue Note

ENGRAVED 
by R. Purcell, printed by E. Bakewell and H. Parker

Following a rapid succession of promotions, Forrest set out for the West Indies in 1745 where he was distinguished in a fracas with a French squadron off Cape Francois, and subsequent recollections of his audacity in this action would inspired Horatio Nelson. In 1761, following the death of his senior officer, Forrest took on himself the duties and privileges of commander-in-chief, until Sir James Douglas summarily dispossessed him in 1762. In 1769 he was sent out to Jamaica as commander-in-chief of the Dunkirk where he settled before his death the following year.