BONHOMME RICHARD ENGAGING THE SERAPIS

This work depicts the American Revolution naval battle of Captain John Paul Jones after he led a squadron of ships around England in his French provisioned flagship, Bonhomme Richard. After capturing the Serapis, the Bonhomme Richard was so badly damaged it sunk the next day. The artist, Dominc Serres the elder (1722-1793) hailed from Gascony, France, was appointed marine painter to King George III, and founding member, later librarian, of the Royal Academy.