Lot Essay
Serres was the son of Dominic Serres (1722-93), who had been appointed Marine Painter to the King in 1780. He travelled through France to Italy in 1789, remaining there until the middle of 1791. He was based in Naples in March and April 1791 and there are dated drawings from this period. After his return to England, he succeeded his father as Marine Painter to the King in 1793, and also became draughtsman to the Admiralty.