Destruction of the 'Soleil Royal' at the Battle of La Hogue, 23 May 1692
Image information
Destruction of the 'Soleil Royal' at the Battle of La Hogue, 23 May 1692
In this relatively small, signed painting Peter Monamy employs a simple composition to depict a crucial scene from the wider context of the Battle of Barfleur, a naval battle of the War of the League of Augsburg, which was fought between an Anglo-Dutch and a French fleet in May 1692. The action was continuously hampered by fog and was not finally brought to a successful conclusion until 24 May in the Bay of La Hougue, in the course of which the French flagship 'Soleil Royal' was burned by the English. In Monamy's painting the burning vessel can be seen on the right in the middle distance. It is depicted from a raised viewpoint looking into the bay across calm, empty waters dotted with wreckage. Red and brownish smoke and flames of the 'Soleil Royal' and two other destroyed ships of the French fleet, the 'Triomphant' and 'Admirable', dramatically rise in to the sky counterbalancing the cool overall greys and blues of the wetly-painted scene. The pictorial effect is created through the contrast between the fire and the austere and almost solitary atmosphere around it. In the distance to the left more vessels are entering the bay.
Peter Monamy
- Image reference: BHC0334
- National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Discover more
More by this artist
Explore the collection
Search for similar images
Product images of Destruction of the 'Soleil Royal' at the Battle of La Hogue, 23 May 1692
Our prints
We use a 240gsm fine art paper and premium branded inks to create the perfect reproduction.
Our expertise and use of high-quality materials means that our print colours are independently verified to last between 100 and 200 years.
Read more about our fine art prints.
Manufactured in the UK
All products are printed in the UK, using the latest digital presses and a giclée printmaking process.
We only use premium branded inks, and colours are independently verified to last between 100 and 200 years.
Delivery & returns
We print everything to order so delivery times may vary but all unframed prints are despatched within 2-4 days via courier or recorded mail.
Due to the coronovirus pandemic and Brexit situation, current shipping times may be longer, particularly for destinations outside the UK.
Delivery to the UK is £5 for an unframed print of any size.
We will happily replace your order if everything isn’t 100% perfect.
