English School, circa 1740, oil on canvas, portrait of Lieut. Charles Le Hardy R.N. (1716-1780)

English School, circa 1740, oil on canvas, portrait of Lieut. Charles Le Hardy R.N. (1716-1780), half length in silk waistcoat and blue coat, 76.5cm x 63cm, in good period carved gilt frame. N.B. Charles Le Hardy, sometimes known as Charles Hardy, was born in Portsmouth into a notable Jersey family with a strong naval tradition. He entered the Royal Navy aged 16 and was made Lieutenant in 1737 and Captain in 1741. In 1755 he was knighted and appointed Governor of New York, this during a period of heightened tensions and rebellion in the colony and Charles didn't relish the task of quelling the spirit of independence, he entreated the government to find him another position at sea. In 1757 he was promoted Rear Admiral of the Blue, promotions continued and he was made Governor of Greenwich Hospital in 1771 and was M.P. for Portsmouth from 1774, after which he returned to Naval command and in 1779 was made Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet, a year later he died. This portrait is by family descent from the sitter. The canvas has been re-lined some decades ago and areas of overpainting visible under a UV light. Various losses to the frame. An impressive looking portrait.