Midshipman Augustus Brine

John Singleton Copley

1782 · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

Augustus Brine (1769–1840) was the son of Admiral James Brine of the Royal British Navy, by his first wife, Jane Knight. At the age of thirteen, in 1782, Brine enlisted in the Navy as a midshipman aboard the "Belliqueux" under the command of his father. In 1790, he was made lieutenant and, eight years later, he became a commander. During the War of 1812, he commanded the "Medway" and successfully captured the American brig "Syran." He was named rear admiral in 1822. This portrait of young Brine was painted in 1782, seven years after Copley had arrived in England.

Artist

John Singleton Copley

Date

1782

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Bequest of Richard De Wolfe Brixey, 1943