Thomas Luny (St Ewe 1759-1837 Teignmouth) The East Indiaman Belvedere in three positions off Portsmouth, the central image showing her heaving-to and awaiting the arrival of a pilot signed and dated 'T.LUNY 1801' (lower left) oil on canvas 86.3 x 147.3cm (34 x 58in). Footnotes: The Belvedere was a handsome full-rigged East Indiaman built by Crookenden & Taylor at Itchenor, Chichester, for Mr. Edward Fiott. Measured by her builder at 987 tons, she was 112 feet in length with a 39 foot beam, and was launched on 18th April 1787 with the distinction of being one of the first vessels in the entire East India Company's fleet to have her hull coppered below the water-line. On 9th June [1787], under the command of Captain William Greer, she sailed from Portsmouth, bound for China (direct), and although she was home safely in the Downs on 19th September 1788, the voyage was not without incident and had included a crew mutiny when the vessel was lying at Whampoa. Over the next ten years, during which she was sold to a new owner, Samuel Bonham, she made a further four round trips either to India or China until resold again to Mr. Charles Christie in 1800. Under a new master, Captain James Peter Fearon, Belvedere only undertook one more round trip to China after departing Portsmouth on 19th May 1801. Safely back at her moorings in home waters on 17th September 1802, she was then put into the West India trade in 1803. Time and tide had taken their toll on her however, and her registry was cancelled on 29th August 1805 followed by her demolition. This portrait, with its date of 1801 confirmed in Luny's stock book, was almost certainly commissioned by Mr. Charles Christie, Belvedere's new owner, to mark her maiden departure from Portsmouth under his colours. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com