Repro ID: BHC0470
Title: The Battle of the First of June, 1794, by Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg.
Description: 'Lord Howe's action, or the Glorious First of June' (its original title) is an interpretation of the first major fleet battle of the French Revolutionary War (1793-1801). The French admiral, Rear-Admiral Louis-Thomas Villaret-Joyeuse, had sailed from Brest to intercept a valuable grain fleet from America, vitally needed in famine-stricken France. Howe's Channel Fleet failed to intercept the convoy, but captured or destroyed seven ships of the line from Villaret's fleet. This was France's heaviest naval defeat until the battle of Abourkir Bay five years later.
Using man's heroic struggle against the sea itself to enhance the conflict of the opposing fleets, the artist's response is in the Romantic tradition, depicting both the dramatic and human nature of the event. The struggle between the two flagships locked in battle dominates the centre of the composition, with the French 'Montagne' on the right and the 'Queen Charlotte', flying the Union flag of Howe on the left, both in port-bow view. In the extreme right of the picture is an English ship, in port-bow view, which is believed to be the 'Brunswick'.
Born in Strasbourg, son of a miniaturist, de Loutherbourg was already a well-established member of the French Academy and painter to Louis XIV when the actor David Garrick, persuaded him to settle in London as scenic director at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, at the huge salary of £500 a year. He was a highly successful and influential designer for the theatre and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1781. He exhibited there in most years from 1772 to his death in 1812. This painting is signed and dated 'P J de Loutherbourg RA 1795'.
Creator: Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg
Date: 1795
Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London
