Edit Object 102

In this view, a British First-Rate, most of her crew visible on deck and wearing a command pennant at her main, passes by the castellated fortress off the mouth of the Taugus River near the port of Lisbon. A full battle fleet is seen on the horizon and a lateen rigged Portuguese fishing boat with four crew occupies the left foreground. 

After Trafalgar, Napoleon sought to cut off Britain’s supply lines with a plan to occupy the ports of English allies. Lisbon was one of the more strategically significant. In August, 1808 the British sent an expeditionary force to Lisbon’s support and held the lines until the Duke of Wellington successfully drove the French out of Portugal. The fleet shown in the distance likely represents this British naval force.

Thomas Buttersworth portrayed many naval events from the Napoleonic Wars. His ability to accurately portray ships engaged in battle maneuvers is considered one of his hallmarks. In this composition the scene is artistically enhanced by the lavender tones in the sky and its soft drifting clouds.

Select a Type
American Ship Portrait
Barometers
Bells
Binnacles & Compasses
Binoculars
Book Maritime
Book Voyages
Books
Books General
Boylhart Collection
Builders Full Models
Builders Half-Model
Canes - Decorative
Canes - Gimmick
Cannons
Carving
Chronometers
Clocks
Contemporary Art
Contemporary Models
Decorative Art - Boxes
Dieppe Models
Diorama Models
Diving Helmets & Equipment
Dockyard Models
Edged Weapons
Engravings
Figureheads
Firearms
Fishing Equipment
Folk Art Models
Furniture
Glass and Pottery
Globes
Jewelry
Joe & Lisa's Art Collection
Lamps
Letters
Lighthouse Artifacts
Limited-Edition Prints
Lithographs
Maps & Charts
Marine Narrative
Marine Narrative at Sea
Medical
Microscopes
Miscellaneous Artifacts
Navigation Instruments - Compass
Navigation Instruments
Navigation Instruments - Sextant
Octants, Quadrants & Backstaffs
Original art
Other Models
Painted Photograph
Passenger Liner Memorabilia
Patent Models
Period Models
Photographs
Pond Models
Pottery
Prints
Prisoner-of-War Artifacts
Prisoner-of-War Models
Sailor Crafts
Sailor Valentines
Sailor Woolworks
Scrimshaw Artifacts
Scrimshaw Private
Scrimshaw Teeth
Sea Chests
Sextants
Ship Clocks
Ship Hardwares
Ship in a Bottle
Ship Log Books
Ships Flogging Whip
Signed Documents
Silver and Silver Plated Models
Speaking Trumpets
Statues
Steam Engine Models
Steam Models
Sundials
Sword
Tankards & Pitchers
Telescopes
Tillers, Rudders & Yokes
Toy Models
Trinity Boxes
Trophys & Presentions
Voyages & Travels
Watches
Whaling