Sir Philip Charles Durham as a Vice Admiral (about 1820)

This portrait of Sir Philip Charles Durham as a Vice Admiral records the Scottish naval officer who distinguished himself at the battles of the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar. Durham’s long naval career embodied the Scottish contribution to the Royal Navy during the age of Nelson. Raeburn's direct, confident technique — painting faces with firm, square-cut brushmarks without preliminary underdrawing — was both distinctive and influential, creating a tradition of honest, assured Scottish portrai

The naval portrait renders the admiral’s uniform and decorations with attention to rank insignia. Raeburn captures the commanding presence of a senior naval officer with characteristic directness.