H. Vale is a rare artist whose work is only known from a small number of signed works mostly of scenes, like the above lot, from the Anglo-Spanish Wars of the early eighteenth century. There are two examples in the National Maritime Museum The Relief of Barcelona 27 April 1706 and HMS Royal Katherine, the latter's treatment and handling close to the present lot.

The present picture shows the Battle of Cape Pasarro which took place on 31 July 1718 between the English fleet under Admiral George Byng (later Viscount Torrington) (1663-1733) and the Spanish commander by Vice Admiral Don Antonio Castafleta. The picture depicts the crucial point of the battle when H.M.S. Kent (70 guns, Captain Thomas Mathews) and H.M.S. Superb (60 guns Captain Streynsham Master - Admiral Byng's brother-in-law) engaged and captured the Spanish Flagships Real San Felipe. H.M.S. Kent is seen on the left flying the blue ensign, and the Real San Felipe in the centre flying the "Cross of Burgundy" with the Ensign of the Spanish Netherlands.