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A triple portrait of Thomas Phillips, John Benbow, and Sir Ralph Delavalle. It probably relates to British fleet operations against the north coast of France during 1692 and 1693. The officer seated on the left holds a plan of fortifications, and is believed to be Thomas Phillips, the fleet’s chief military engineer. Highly distinguished, he was involved with John Benbow at the bombardment of St Malo. His portrait was probably painted in 1692–1693 before the summer campaign of 1693 from which he did not return. The central figure is John Benbow, Admiral of the White. He wears a brown silk robe, a dark brown full-bottomed wig and holds a quadrant in his right hand. Benbow’s early career was in the Merchant Service where he gained a reputation as a seaman and a fighter of Barbary pirates.
The figure standing on the right is Sir Ralph Delavalle who was Admiral of the Blue. His right hand rests on a celestial globe holding a pair of dividers. He served in the Second and Third Dutch Wars and commanded the ‘Constant Warwick’ in 1674. In 1688 he had command of the ‘York’ and supported William of Orange at the Revolution. He directed the blue squadron with distinction at the action off Beachy Head in 1690. During the winter of 1691 to 1692 he blockaded Dunkirk. Delavalle was Vice-Admiral of the red squadron at Barfleur and destroyed the French flagship ‘Soleil Royal’ and two other French warships at Cherbourg. He commanded the rear squadron at La Hogue, 1692, and in January 1693 was appointed one of the admirals who jointly commanded the fleet with Killigrew and Shovell. Following the loss of the Smyrna convoy the Government dismissed him and this ended his career.
Title
John Benbow (1653–1702), Sir Ralph Delavalle (c.1645–1707), and Thomas Phillips (c.1635–1693)
Date
1692–1693
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 151.7 x W 192.5 cm
Accession number
BHC2547
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
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