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CAPT. PAUL JONES SHOOTING A SAILOR

Offered by: Arader Galleries

Description
Sayer & Bennett

Capt. Paul Jones Shooting a Sailor who had Attempted to Strike his Colours in an Engagement.

London: Sayer & Bennett, January 1, 1780.
Mezzotint with hand-coloring
A dramatic rendering of one of the most memorable naval battles of the War of Independence. Jones' engagement with the H.M.S. Serapis is captured here in its late stages as Jones prepares to shoot one of his own seamen for attempting to strike the American colors. The 1779 action at Flamborough Head is regarded widely as the place where Jones, responding to British demands to surrender, responded: "I have not yet begun to fight." This image was produced for British consumption--playing into the perception of Jones as a bloodthirsty pirate: "The British public liked to make its flesh creep with tales of the terrible Jones, and this print, manifestly designed for nonaristocratic consumption, is a good specimen of such thrillers" (An Album of American Battle Art p. 40). Smith, American Naval Broadsides, p. 24

p.m.13 3/4 x 9 3/4"

Paper size 14 7/16 x 10 1/2"

Frame size 16 3/4 x 12 5/8"

More Information

Period:	19th Century
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	610187

Message from Seller:

Founded in 1971, Arader Galleries is the world's leading dealer and auction house of Rare Maps, Prints, Rare Books and Watercolors of the 16th through 19th centuries. Over our forty-five year history we have grown to five magnificent locations in some of America’s most vibrant cities and are represented at the most distinguished antiques shows in the country. We are proud to buy and sell more original Audubon prints that any other firm in the United States.