The present portrait compares with a rectangular head-and-shoulders oil on canvas painting by Lemuel Francis Abbott in the National Portrait Gallery (inv. no. NPG 394), which is considered to be one of the most widely recognised of Nelson's iconography. Abbott produced a number of versions of this portrait, the original painting having been made from a sketch the artist did when Nelson was at the Royal Hospital, Greenwich. Nelson sat to Abbott only twice but the artist went on to produce over forty portraits of him. Another version, in which Nelson is depicted in his iconic tricorn hat is at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (inv. no. BHC2889). In July 1798 (the year Nelson was fighting in the battle of Cape St Vincent, for which he received the medal he is wearing in the portrait), Nelson's wife wrote to him saying 'My dearest husband - I am now writing opposite to your portrait, the likeness is great. I am well-satisfied with Abbott... it is my companion, my sincere friend in your absence.'