Guarisco Gallery 2012

63 The Capture of La Nymphe by The Flora (Left) ominic Serres was the war artist for the British Navy. In this series, he depicts the battle between the British ship Flora and the French ship La Nymphe that occurred on August 10, 1780. According to accounts, the French captain of La Nymphe challenged the British vessel. The two ships engaged in a battle for one hour before they were close enough for the French crew to attempt to board the British ship. The French were repulsed with considerable losses, and the British crew took possession of the French vessel. The series was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in 1781. Dominic Serres (British, 1722-1793) Vessels of the East India Company and Other Ships off St. Helena o/c 42” x 64-3/8” (49-1/2” x 72-5/8” fr.) The remote island of St. Helena lies in the mid-South Atlantic Ocean. Beginning in 1673, the island served as a port-of-call for the homeward-bound ships of the British East India Company. At the Port of St. James, ships found shelter from the weather as well as fresh drinking water, fresh meat, and citrus fruits. It is most likely that an official of the East India Trading Company commissioned Serres to create this picture. D