Sir George Cockburn served under Nelson in various engagements and took an important part in the Anglo-American war of 1812. He showed his skill as a naval commander in the operations on the Chesapeake, Sassafras, and Potomac rivers. He co-operated with General Ross at the battles of Bladensburg and Baltimore, and after the former battle entered the City of Washington and burnt the public buildings including the Senate and what is now the White House, so-painted thereafter to hide the damage. He was selected to convey Napoleon to St. Helena in the 'Northumberland' in 1815. Promoted Vice-Admiral in 1819, and Admiral in 1837, he was an important figure in the Navy's early adoption of steam-power and became First Sea Lord in 1841.

The artist trained as a lawyer before entering the Royal Academy Schools, London, in 1772, where he may have studied with Johan Zoffany. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1776, and throughout his career he produced competent portraits since he had no shortage of clients. In 1793, he was named portrait painter to Queen Charlotte and undertook a number of royal commissions. His straightforward style perfectly suited the stolid and conventional taste of the royal family. In 1795, John Opie described Beechey's pictures as 'of that mediocre quality as to taste & fashion, that they seemed only fit for sea Captains & merchants'.