#jfj

some notes: in real life that portrait never existed as far as i am aware, certainly not hung up in the location where it is in the show. so this was probably 1. just to communicate to the audience his good standing with the admiralty (and sir john's, in contrast to francis not being there) 2. possibly a reference to the tiny portrait of james included in the arctic council painting (which also has sir john in it but not francis. but for sort of understandable reasons!)

i do kinda really really wonder who painted the portrait in the show though! i watched the credits of the episode just in case, and while there are art direction credits etc, it's not like there's a specific "person who painted the two portraits" credit. + who told this artist how to depict him and what clothes to put on him and what pose to paint him in? the historical/naval consultants? can i please go back in time and be in the room when those decisions happen<3 please<3 can i watch. the painting process

anyway. let us make note of the giant buttons and the anchor on his sleeve and how his cravat is tied<3 and his hands in his pockets. very rakish