Watercolor Painting of the Trent Affair. 16.25 x 14.5 inches, overall.

W.J. Rennie, artist. Watercolor and pastel on paper. Affixed to board, presented in original frame. Artist signature to lower right. Manuscript inscription to lower margin reads: “The Seizure by Captain Wilks [sic] of the United States War-ship San Jacinto of Messrs Slidell and Mason Confederate Commissioners, on board the British Mail-steamer Trent”. With the additional inscriptions: “Abreast of the Paredon Grande Lighthouse” and “In the narrowest part of the Bahama Channel”.

A dynamic and contemporary depiction of the dramatic “Trent Affair,” where the U.S.S. San Jacinto, captained by Charles Wilkes searched for the C.S.S. Sumter under the command of the notorious Captain Raphael Semmes. While in Cuba, however, Wilkes learned that James M. Mason and John Slidell, Confederate envoys to Britain and France, were in Havana waiting transport to Europe after they escaped Charleston on 12 October. Seeing a golden opportunity, Wilkes steered the San Jacinto into the Old Bahama Channel and surprised the British mail packet Trent, capturing the Confederate diplomats. The actions were hailed in the North but caused a major strain in Federal relations with the British.

The artist expertly depicts the pivotal moments of capture, with extreme detail given to the ships and their rigging. An excellent display piece.

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[Civil War, Confederate, Union, United Kingdom, Diplomacy, John Bull, Navy, Blue Water Navy, Art, Paintings, Ephemera]