AFA Autumn 2019

Antiques & Fine Art 101 2019 Fig. 7: Rufus E. Patten (1807–1879), Battle at sea, ca. 1825–1835. Ink on paper, 2¼ x 3¼ inches. Inscribed “Hornet &.” Collection of Craig and Alison Jewett. Fig. 8: Rufus E. Patten (1807–1879), Bombardment scene, ca. 1825–1835. Ink on paper, 3 x 4⅛ inches. Collection of Craig and Alison Jewett. The most detailed battle scene (Fig.8) shows an American town (as indicated by the flag) under bombardment from two ships, presumably English, at sea. Four cannonballs are about to crash into the town, which contains a number of houses and two churches with tall steeples. On the shore, massed troops supported by cannon fire are ready to repulse what appears to be a landing party in three small boats—the one closest to the shore might even be sinking. One could guess that this image is based on the English siege of Fort McHenry in Baltimore in September 1814, which is perhaps why Patten chose to show