VICTORY OF THE 'JOHN PAUL JONES' OVER THE BRITISH SQUADRON BY MOONLIGHT

This maritime picture presents a dramatic composition in which a calm sea and full moon lit sky surrounds a seemingly peaceful seaside town, while a battle in the waters rages not far from shore. A partially legible inscription on the reverse reads, ‘This picture representing the action between the Sarapis and [...]of the Countess of scarborough [screw hole] [___AIL] June 15.’ Based on this information, it can be inferred that the painting depicts the The Battle of Flamborough Head between the British ships Serapis and Countess of Scarborough, and a Franco-American squadron led by Continental Navy officer John Paul Jones on September 23, 1779. On Bonhomme Richard, equipped with 42 guns, and alongside three other vessels, Jones attacked the British ships leading to their surrender.