'Captain Cook's Ships "Adventure" and "Resolution", in the Tagus off Belem Castle, near Lisbon'

The title is taken from an old label, presumably written by the Allen family, previously on the backing board when sold in these rooms 23 Sept. 2004, lot 36 (part). The subject is either one invented by John Cleveley, as neither the second nor third voyage ships were in the Tagus on their outward or return routes, or the ships have been incorrectly identified by the labels, and the watercolour is a view taken on Cleveley's excursion to Portugal and the Azores in 1775-76. The Allen family owned Cleveley's set of four original watercolours for the 'Views in the South Seas' (lot 35 in the same sale as this watercolour in 2004).