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An interpretation of an incident during the French Revolutionary War, following the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 1797. The last decade of the eighteenth century was a period of extreme upheaval across Europe. Late in 1796, after Spain made peace with Revolutionary France, the British were forced to withdraw from the Mediterranean. Commodore Nelson organized the evacuation of Corsica, and Admiral Jervis, based at Gibraltar, concentrated on blockading the Spanish fleet in its Atlantic ports, especially Cadiz. When Spanish ships, aiming for Brest to join the French, were seen passing through the Straits of Gibraltar on 5 February 1797, on their way to Cadiz, Nelson set sail towards Cape St Vincent, hoping to find Jervis. He found the British squadron off Cape St Vincent on 13 February and immediately repaired on board 'Victory', 100 guns, to discuss with Jervis the preparations for the inevitable battle.
The painting interprets the scene on the quarterdeck of the 'San Josef' as she surrenders. Nelson is standing centre right of the picture, his right hand held out to receive the sword of the captain of the ship. He is depicted offering it on bended knee, whilst his left hand points behind him to the slumped figure of the Spanish Admiral, Don Francisco Xavier Winthuysen, who has been mortally wounded.
(Note: the Spanish 'San José', captured at Cape St Vincent, is generally if wrongly known in English as 'San Josef', the name under which she was taken into the Navy.)
Title
Nelson Receiving the Surrender of the 'San Josef' at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14 February 1797
Date
1799
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 146 x W 196.5 cm
Accession number
BHC0493
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
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Olaudah Equiano ('Gustavus Vassa') National Portrait Gallery, London -
Nelson Receiving the Surrender of the 'San Josef' at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14 February 1797 National Maritime Museum -
Nelson Coming on Deck at the Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798 National Maritime Museum -
Duncan Receiving the Surrender of de Winter at the Battle of Camperdown, 11 October 1797 National Maritime Museum -
The Crescent, Buxton, Derbyshire Buxton Museum & Art Gallery -
Admiral Richard Howe (1726–1799) National Maritime Museum