English painting

This picture was bought by Nélie Jacquemart in London, where she took refuge following the death of her husband in 1894. At the time, it was said that it had been painted by a great master, and it was generally thought to depict a British aristocrat, though without any real certainty. It was not until the old varnish was removed from the work that it could finally be appreciated. It represents a captain of a frigate leaning against the mast of his ship. Previous exhibition descriptions said that this painting was the work of the great Joshua Reynolds.