Rhett was a Colonel in the Provincial Militia and Vice-Admiral in the Colonial Navy. He is best known for his successful capture of the notorious pirate Stede Bonnet in 1718. He also held appointments as Surveyor and Comptroller General for His Majesty's Customs and was Lieutenant-General and Constructor of Fortifications.
In copying Henrietta Johnston's (?-1728/9) original pastel of c. 1715 Fraser has tried to capture some of the softness of her medium. However, the total impression is crisper, with sharper delineations (especially in the breastplate) and more convincing reflections.
Notes:
This text is adapted from Martha Severens "The Miniature Portrait Collection of the Carolina Art Association" published by the Carolina Art Association, 1984
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