Image: L'escadre anglaise pour attaquer La Havane en 1762

Description: The Van and Rear of All his Majesty's Ships and Transports. The present painting depicts 'The Van and Rear of All his Majesty's Ships and Transports', stationed by Cuba, with 'The Pan or Cape Land of the Matanzes, at a large distance being a high Table-Land'. The expansive view was painted in 1767 to commemorate a substantial campaign to Havana during the Seven Years War. Amid great secrecy an enormous fleet of more than 180 was gathered, under the command of Admiral Sir George Pocock, and set sail through the dangerous Old Straits of Bahama, from Jamaica, to take Havana by surprise. The campaign was a British success with Havana surrendering in the middle of August that year, but the city was returned the following year in the Treaty of Paris. One of the lieutenants aboard the 66-gun man-of-war Orford was Philip Orsbright. He recorded in notes and drawings all the stages of the approach, siege and capture of the following weeks. Upon his return to England he approached Serres to use his detailed drawings and notes to produce a full set of paintings by 1764, which were then published as engravings in 1764-65 and offered for two guineas per set. The present work represents Plates I and II in the album 'The Van and Rear of All his Majesty's Ships and Transports' and was painted by Serres, probably as a commission from the family of Admiral Keppel. The present painting, and the Havana series of paintings as a whole, represent an important turning point in Serres's reputation and career. The Keppel family dominated the 'Havana' campaign and following Serres's production of Orsbright's drawings, various members commissioned versions of certain views from the set to display in their country houses. Their example was later followed by other commanders and captains who also wished to commemorate their naval triumphs and chose Serres as the most fashionable and favoured marine painter in England. The full set of twelve engravings of 'The Capture of Havana, 1762.' is in the collection of the National Maritime Museum.
Title: L'escadre anglaise pour attaquer La Havane en 1762
Credit: lyonandturnbull.com
Author: Dominic Serres
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No