Flying under a billowing British ensign, this eighteenth century cutter-rigged privateer has an admiral aboard as seen in the white Saint George’s flag on the bowstaff. Under a glowing sky, the independently commanded vessel appears to be carrying her human passengers toward the distant square-rigger on the horizon. Looking on the scene are two fishermen in a small fishing boat off the port side.

One of the great late eighteenth, early nineteenth century marine painters, Luny, in the marine painting tradition favored beautiful paintings with a strong narrative sense. Among the earliest British artists to explore possibilities in luminism, this work shows the artist successfully employing this new-found technique. Following a long standing practice, notice how Luny incorporates a bit of flotsam to present his signature while keeping the letter from obviously invading the emotional feels of this strong scene.