#augustus keppel

[acrossthewavesoftime]

I get it, people's tastes in art differ. The above work of art is not something I'd plan on hanging on the wall in my place, but yeah, whatever floats your boat (Augustus Keppel was an admiral, after all).

...I just didn't expect to find this among the top 10 Google image results for "Augustus Keppel".

Reading up on the artist, I get this painting may be interpreted as an attempt at challenging traditional concepts of masculinity (as represented in historical European portraiture) put I still have questions...

Why Keppel? Is there any deeper historical significance to this? Or does his face simply 'invite' a full, glam make-up? Is there any other 18th century naval officer who would look good in bunny ears and rouge (because I feel judging from Keppel's facial expression, he isn't quite convinced of this make-over)?

Feel free to provide me with answers.

Reference [accessed 21 September 2021]

[captainzehir]

Paintings in St James’s Palace. HRH Prince Philip laid to rest surrounded by naval heroes 🙏

[burneyanddefoe]

Commodore the Honourable Augustus Keppel by Joshua Reynolds (1749)

[alineuponthewind]

Augustus Keppel, Viscount Keppel - Sir Joshua Reynolds

[verecunda]

The Honourable Commodore Augustus Keppel, by Joshua Reynolds (1749)

The first of several portraits of Keppel painted by Reynolds, showing him here in captain’s undress uniform (pattern 1748-67). In the background can be seen his Mediterranean squadron, with HMS Centurion (54) flying his commodore’s broad pendant. Keppel had sailed previously in Centurion on Anson’s voyage around the world.

Keppel and Reynolds were close friends, and this portrait is thought to have been painted at Port Mahon in Minorca, when Reynolds accompanied Keppel to the Mediterranean before travelling to Italy to study. (x)

[quotingobrian]

The hatch was now open, and the very small boy sat on a locker, looking up it and singing, in a remarkably high-pitched soprano, 'The secret expedition ho The secret expedition hee,' over and over again. Peter stood, contemplating the pink-cheeked singer and wondering first where FitzGerald was and secondly how this child could have got aboard; and presently the song came to an end. 'Tell me, my boy,' said Peter, 'have you seen...' 'Who the -- do you think you are?' asked the kid with an unflinching stare. 'You should not use such words,' said Peter, quite shocked. 'And you should not use such an infernally impertinent form of address to your seniors,' piped the very small boy.

The Golden Ocean, Patrick O’Brian

[quotingobrian]

'What is this shocking noise about?' asked Mr Saumarez. 'If you please, sir,' said Keppel, 'we are painting Mr Palafox blue.' 'What a stupid blunder,' cried the first lieutenant. 'Don't you know that green is the proper emblem? Come, come; mix yellow with your blue and you will have green - the only correct colour. When will you begin to realise that you must think before you act?'

The Golden Ocean, Patrick O’Brian

[18thcenturylove]

Admiral Augustus Keppel by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1765