November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
Dominic Serres (RA, 1719-1793). “The Phoenix, The Vigilant, The Greenwich sloop, The Keppel and the Comet reducing the Town of Savannah to capitulate, January 1779.” Watercolor on paper, 5-3/4" x 10-3/4", tipped to early mount with inked border and title below, 9" x 13-1/2" (view), with matted and glazed frame. Captain Hyde Parker (1739-1807) of the 44-gun HMS Phoenix commanded the small Royal Navy squadron sent from New York in December 1778 on the amphibious expedition against Savannah, Georgia, which was subsequently captured in a combined naval-land operation on December 29th. Only the Phoenix was built as a Royal Navy warship, the remaining vessels were two British merchantmen converted into small frigates (HMS Greenwich and HMS Vigilant), a captured privateer (HM Brig Keppel) and HMS Comet, a captured South Carolina Navy brigantine. Dominic Serres, Britain’s leading marine artist during the 2nd half of the 18th century, was commissioned to paint at least three works relating to Parker’s service in the Phoenix during the Revolutionary War; a number of watercolor studies relating to the same survive in various collections, including this view. CONDITION: The watercolor with light toning overall and some foxing on the upper margins; some staining and light soiling to the outer display mat; not examined out of the frame. JLK
Item Dimensions: 20 x 16"