Sir John Thomas
Duckworth’s Action
of Santo Domingo,
6th Feb, 1806.
Ambroise-Louis Garneray (1783-1857).
Oil on canvas. Signed ul.
19 x 30 1/4 inches canvas,
22 x 34 inches framed. This painting by the noted French marine artist Ambroise-Louis Garneray depicts an important but little known event during the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Santo Domingo. The British declared war against France on May 16, 1803. Napoleon had been planning to invade Britain, and when he crowned himself Emperor of France in December 1804 and began massing troops in seaside towns along the Channel, the British mobilized their naval forces to prevent the Emperor’s plan from succeeding. After a series of naval battles led to the near-decimation of the French fleet, Napoleon was forced to abandon his plan of invading England for the time being. Instead he decided to try to disrupt British trade in the West Indies, trade that helped finance the British war effort. Two French squadrons, commanded by Rear-Admiral Willaumez and Vice-Admiral Leissegues, sailed for the West Indies. When news of their operations reached Vice-Admiral Sir John Duckworth, who was blockading Cadiz, he sailed with six ships for Madeira. He finally caught up with the French squadron off Santo Domingo, and in the ensuing battle the five French ships were all captured or driven on shore in a decisive defeat.
Garneray’s depiction of the event might be better characterized as an atmospheric seascape than a battle scene. The clear blue sky, calm seas, and lush hills of Santo Domingo, all beautifully painted in jewel-like colors, almost take precedence over the battle scene, though a more careful investigation reveals the smoke from canon fire and one ship, in the foreground, destroyed. Despite the ostensible subject of this work, Garneray’s mastery of light and movement are fully in evidence in this engaging composition.