Location

Country: USA
City: Washington DC
Place: British Embassy

Robert Smirke was born in Wigton, Carlisle. He was brought to London by his father in 1766 and apprenticed to a coach painter named Bromley. He entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1772 and exhibited at the Academy from 1786 to 1800, in 1805 and in 1815. He became an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1791 and a full Royal Academician two years later. Smirke specialised in unusually small scale scenes from literary or theatrical subjects, and his works are often humorous. His radical and revolutionary opinions led George III to bar his appointment as Keeper of the Royal Academy in 1804. The artist died at the age of 92 at his home in Osnaburgh Terrace, near Regent's Park, London.

People

Jervis John, Earl of St VincentThompson, Sir Charles, 1st BaronetWaldegrave, William, 1st Baron RadstockParker, Sir William, 1st BaronetNelson, Horatio, Viscount NelsonFrederick, Thomas LenoxKnowles, Sir Charles Henry, 2nd BaronetCollingwood, Cuthbert, Baron CollingwoodWhitshed, Sir James Hawkins, 1st BaronetCalder, Sir Robert, BaronetDacres, JamesSaumarez, James, 1st Baron de SaumarezMurray, Sir GeorgeSutton, Sir JohnTroubridge, Sir Thomas, 1st BaronetMartin, Sir GeorgeFoley, Sir ThomasGrey, Sir George, 1st BaronetTowry, George HenryMiller, Ralph WillettIrwin, John

Places

Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic, Portugal

Subjects

male portrait, group portrait, lion, smoke, sea, wreath, flag, naval officer, cannon ball, cannon, Battle of Cape St. Vincent, ship

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

James Parker (1750 - 1805)
William Henry Worthington (c.1790 - )
Robert Smirke (1753 - 1845)

Title

Commemoration of the 14th February 1797 [The Battle of Cape St. Vincent]

Date

published 1803

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Colnaghi, June 1952

GAC number

1717