The Ville de Paris striking her colours to H.M.S. Formidable at the battle of the Saintes, 12th April 1782

Details

Dominic Serres, the Elder (1722-1793)
The Ville de Paris striking her colours to H.M.S. Formidable at the battle of the Saintes, 12^th April 1782
inscribed 'The Ville de Paris striking to the Formidable L^D. Rodney' (upper centre)
pencil, grey ink and grey wash
9½ x 14½ in. (24.2 x 36.8 cm.)

Provenance

Sir Bruce Ingram.

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Lot Essay

The battle of the Saintes was a decisive British victory over a French fleet off Guadeloupe on 12^th April 1782, towards the end of the American War of Independence. By then, France and Spain were also at war with England and the former was threatening an attack on Jamaica. Admiral Lord Rodney, in command in the Caribbean, realised this was the French intention and took his fleet out to forestall the attack. Rodney brought the enemy to action off a small group of islands known as Les Saintes and, in a brilliant manoeuvre which left her surrounded, forced the French flagship Ville de Paris to strike her colours and surrender.

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