Catalogue description Charles Mitchell 1783-1856

By an unknown artist

Half length to right, lorgnette in his right hand, his left hand resting on base of column: dark brown hair parted on right, brown side whiskers, lighter brown eyebrows, pale blue eyes, full lower lip, chin clean-shaven, fresh complexion; white collar and shirt, broad black neckband, black coat, open, black waistcoat; dark brown background, lighter to right. On the back of the canvas, a stamp: Prepared by J.H.SIMPSON / ARTIST COLOURMAN / 54 /LONDON ROAD / Southw[ark?]

The hand has not been identified, but is not far from Stephen Pearce, who had a number of medical and naval sitters.

On indefinite loan from J. C. Medley.

Annals, 30 April 1964, p. 179.

Naval surgeon. While he was surgeon on board the flagship Vigo, based at St. Helena, Charles Mitchell was called in to consult with Shortt, Arnott and Antommarchi about the condition - then grave - of Napoleon, but he never actually saw the patient alive. He was, however, present at the post-mortem examination of Napoleon and signed the official report.

Retired to the Isle of Wight and died there aged 73.