John Paul Jones (1747–1792) is an American naval hero in the American Revolution, renowned for his victory over British ships of war off the east coast of England (September 23, 1779). In August 1779, Jones took command of the Bonhomme Richard and, accompanied by four small ships, sailed around the British Isles. In September, the little squadron intercepted the Baltic merchant fleet under the convoy of the British ships Serapis and Countess of Scarborough. What followed was one of the most famous naval engagements in American history. During the early stages of a grueling 3 1/2-hour gun battle, Jones (is said to have) answered an enemy challenge to surrender with the memorable words, “I have not yet begun to fight!” He won a stunning victory, though with a heavy loss of life, when the Serapis surrendered and was boarded by Jones and his crew. The Bonhomme Richard sank soon afterward from damage received in the engagement, and Jones sailed both the Serapis and the captured Countess of Scarborough to the Netherlands. In France, Louis XVI rewarded him with a gold-hilted sword and made him a chevalier of France.

This print depicts a three-quarter portrait of John Paul Jones holding a naval telescope in his right hand, his left hand resting on a large anchor, and at his hip is a sword, possibly the same one that was given by the French king. In the background, there appears to be the Countess of Scarborough in flames and the Serapis in the distance.