Description

An original watercolor painting of the British capture of four French ships, 'L'Egyptienne,' 'L'École,' 'Le Lévrier,' and 'Le Vengeur,' on November 24, 1799 during the French Revolutionary Wars. When Captain Stephen Poyntz on his flagship, HMS 'Solebay,' discovered the French off San Domingo, he followed and attacked the ships one by one until they were captured. The 'Solebay,' recognized by her flag, is in the middle surrounded by a cloud of smoke and is viewed from the stern. Two French ships flank her and fire. The title and names of ships are handwritten in ink on the top and bottom border respectively. The names correspond to the ship vertically above it.

Type

stamp

Location

recto, bottom left

Text

Clark Collection MIT

Type

graphite

Location

recto, bottom right

Text

24-A-4

Type

ink

Location

recto, top

Text

H.M.S. Solebay of 32 Guns S. Poyntz Esq. Captain Capturing a French Squadron off Cape Tiberon 13 November 1799

Type

ink

Location

recto, bottom

Text

l'Egyptienne, Vengeur, Solebay, L'Elon, L'Evier

Type

graphite

Location

verso, bottom right

Text

F-40