JOHN SMART (BRITISH 1741-1811)

The sitter is wearing the Naval Gold Medal which was designed for and awarded to Captains who served during the war with Revolutionary France. It is thought that between 70 and 100 of these medals were presented to naval officers and they have since become valuable collector's items. Imperceptable in the portrait miniature, the medal depicts a winged figure of Victory bestowing a laurel wreath on Britannia on one side and the name of the recipient of the award and their rank on the other.
We are indebted to Michael Naxton for his help with the identification of the sitter's medal.