John Christian Schetky (1778-1874)

The Engagement between the Mars and La Hercule off Brest, 1798

Details

John Christian Schetky (1778-1874)
The Engagement between the Mars and La Hercule off Brest, 1798
oil on canvas
21¼ x 30¼ in. (54 x 76.8 cm.)

Provenance

Smith Barry Collection, Fota Island, County Cork, Ireland and by descent to Mrs. Anthony Villiers; Christie's, 13 July 1984, lot 59, as Thomas Butterworth (sold £5,000).
N.R. Omell, London.

Exhibited

Castletown, County Kildare, Ireland, on loan.
N.R. Omell, London, Marine Exhibition, 1984, no. 36.

Lot Essay

The famous engagement between the English Mars, under Captain Alexander Hood, and the French Hercule, under Captain Louis Heritier, took place on 21 April 1798. On her completion at Lorient, the 74-gun Hercule, set sail to join the French fleet at Brest. However before she reached Brest she was intercepted by the 74-gun Mars and in the ensuing engagement the Hercule was captured although Captain Hood was killed in the action.

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