Lot Essay
Both based on the drawings dated 1774 in the Maritime Museum, Amsterdam (inv.no. A 1029), signed A. Nelson, who may be the landscape painter known to have exhibited in London in 1766-90 (U. Thieme, F. Becker, Allgemeines Lexikon der bildenden Künstler, Leipzig, 1931/78, XXV, p. 387). His name was spelt incorrectly by Kanne, who seems to be unrecorded.
In 1639 the first Dutch governor, Pierre Gordijn, was installed at Saint Eustatius. The island flourished in the period 1778-9, when it supported the American colonialists. This caused problems with the English leading to their occupying the island. In 1784 it was handed over to the French, but given back to the English in 1800 and, following the Peace of Amiens, handed back over the Dutch in 1802. Except for a short interval the island has remained Dutch property as part of the Netherlands Antilles
In 1639 the first Dutch governor, Pierre Gordijn, was installed at Saint Eustatius. The island flourished in the period 1778-9, when it supported the American colonialists. This caused problems with the English leading to their occupying the island. In 1784 it was handed over to the French, but given back to the English in 1800 and, following the Peace of Amiens, handed back over the Dutch in 1802. Except for a short interval the island has remained Dutch property as part of the Netherlands Antilles