Attributed to Richard Ball Spencer (English, 1812-1897) Battle off Cape St. Vincent, circa 1840

The stretcher verso with old label inscribed in ink, "Cape St. Vincent, Feb. 14 1797/ "No sooner had the Excellent shot clear of the San Nicholas, than the Captain accommenced firing, but no fire opmast having fallen, and the ship being otherwise in a crippled state, it soon became evident unless something were done, the Captain must drop astern of the Spanish fleet and lose the seward of Horatio Nelson herefore determined to bound his immediate opponent, the San Nicholas, and orders being given to starboard the helm, the Captain lain foul of the Spanish ship, with her eastward earhead thinking the starboard of the...and her spritsail-yard nearing the...," oil on canvas, framed.

(23 1/4 in. x 15 1/4 in. (sight))

Provenance

The Parker Gallery, London, United Kingdom
Property of a Florida gentleman, formerly of Glen Cree, Kennebunkport, Maine
The consignor's colonial style home, Glen Cree, was featured in the magazine Colonial Homes, November-December 1985, and much of the collection was photographed.

Footnote:

Note

The Battle of Cape St. Vincent, occurring on February 14th, 1797 off the coast of Portugal, involved the English and their Spanish opponents. The quote found on the canvas stretcher alludes to the English victory under John Jarvis, but specifically documents Horatio Nelson's bold move to pass quietly through the Spanish fleet and "wear ship," which allowed him to take command of Spanish vessels.

Condition report:

27 in. x 19 in. (frame); probably lined, some areas of retouching, primarily bottom edge (evident from green fluorescence under UV light) and an area to middle of top edge; some minor crackling to paint in upper right corner; frame later