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An incident from the five-day battle known as the 'Glorious First of June 1794', during the French Revolutionary War, 1793–1802, between the British under Lord Howe and the French under Rear-Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse. This was the first great fleet battle of the French Wars of 1793–1815. It took place in the Atlantic, 400 miles west of Ushant, when the French were attempting to intercept and escort home a valuable grain fleet from America and the British were attempting to prevent this by capturing as much as possible. The consequent French manoeuvres allowed the British three days to position their fleet for the main attack. Although Villaret-Joyeuse helped ensured the safe passage of the French grain convoy (which neither fleet sighted) by drawing off Howe, he also had to try and minimize damage to his warships.
The painting shows the 'Vengeur du Peuple' on the right, almost stern-on, flying the French flag, in action with the ‘Brunswick’ to port, flying the red ensign. The 'Achille', 74 guns, is shown stern-on, losing all her masts. The holes in the sails of the ships demonstrate the ferocity of the battle. In the left background two more ships are in action while the right background is obscured by smoke. This was witnessed by the artist from the frigate 'Pegasus', 28 guns, who filled a notebook with sketches and notes describing the course of the battle. He wrote 'the action continued very violent till near one o'clock and the ships dismasted seem'd to emerge from the smoke in such a manner that we could not see even who they had engaged last'.
Title
The 'Brunswick' and the 'Vengeur du Peuple' at the Battle of the First of June, 1794
Date
1795
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 139.7 x W 190.5 cm
Accession number
BHC0471
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
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