Thomas Birch American, 1779-1851. He Traveled To America From England With His Father, William Birch, In 1794. This Painting Depicts The Engagement Near Madeira, October 25, 1812 Between The Uss United States And The Hms Macedonian. Thomas Birch Is Considered The First American Ship Portraitist. His Earliest Work Was Done Helping His Father And Were Purchased By Then President John Adams And Vice President Thomas Jefferson, And Others. There Are At Least (3) "known" Paintings Of This Done By Birch.1. Museum Of Fine Arts, Boston. This Is A Slightly Larger Version Measuring Approx. 27.75" X 35.87".2. Historical Society Of Pennsylvania Measures 28" X 34.5"3. A Version Previously Displayed At The White House And Owned By Estate Of J. Welles Henderson Measured 24.8" X 32.2" And Was Sold At Sotheby's.4. A Version Previously By Or After Birch Hangs In The Home Of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.5. A Version Was Also Sold At Christie's In 2017.The One Being Sold Here Measures Approx. 31" X 23.5"This Amazing Painting Depicting Such An Important Part Of American History Has Been Painted By At Least One Other Listed Artist, Edward Beyer, Of Pennsylvania To Virginia.Condition: Needs Restoration. Probably Not Cleaned In 200 Years. Has Yellowing. It Coudl Use A Re-line, Edges Of Canvas Are Loose. It Might Have Old Repairs And / Or In-painting. It Is Difficult To See All The Detail Of This Beautiful Early Work, But It Is Amazing.Please See The Provenance. Bid Accordingly And Base Your Bids On Your Knowledge Of Thomas Birch And Early American Painters Of The Period.Provenance: From the Estate of Doris B Keen, Sinking Spring, Pa. They were passed to her from her parents Edna (Garrett) Balkcom and Her father Thomas W. Balkcom, (1906-2009). He was the son of Dr. James W. Balkcom (1868-1949) and Mattie F. Truett. Dr. James W. Balkcom was the son of Dr Madison Larkin "Lark" Balkcom (1844 -1915) & Emma Pauline DICK Balkcom (1850 - 1890).Thomas was very proud of being a Rotarian and a member of Torch Club, Reading, PA.