Sir John Franklin (1786–1847)

Phillips's second portrait of Sir John Franklin at the Dudley Museums documents the explorer in what may be a later sitting, reflecting the sustained interest in documenting a figure whose Arctic exploration career was attracting increasing attention. The Dudley connection—if genuine—is unusual, as Franklin was primarily associated with the naval and Arctic exploration worlds rather than the Midlands industrial town. The multiple Phillips portraits of Franklin reflect the painter's consistent engagement with figures of public significance, and the question of which sitting preceded the other and what the specific institutional context was would clarify the documentary significance of this Dudley version.

This version of the Franklin portrait may differ slightly from the Scott Polar Research Institute version in format or details while maintaining the essential characterization. Phillips's multiple portraits of the same sitter demonstrate his ability to produce consistent, reliable likenesses across different commissions.