- 47
Thomas Whitcombe
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Thomas Whitcombe
- The frigate Naiad giving chase to Spanish frigates Santa Brigada and Thetis at sea
- signed and dated, lower left: T. Whitcombe 1800
- oil on canvas
Provenance
HP. Brauner, Hameau de la Forestiere, Roquefort-Notre-Dame, France;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's South Kensington, 10 November 1994, lot 503, where acquired.
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's South Kensington, 10 November 1994, lot 503, where acquired.
Condition
The canvas is relined, the paint surface is slightly dirty and the varnish has darkened somewhat. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals some old, minor and sensitively-executed retouching to the sails of all the ships, and some more recent retouching in the sky, particularly in the upper left and right corners, and upper centre. There are very small areas of retouching to three losses, upper left and lower right in the water, each measuring less than a 1cm. square.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
On the evening of 15 October 1799, the Naiad, a British 38-gun frigate under the command of Captain William Pierrepont, gave chase to two enemy frigates spotted off the North Western coast of Spain. By the next morning, three more British frigates, the Ethalion, Alcamene and Triton had joined Pierrepont in his pursuit of the Spanish vessels. They proved to be the Thetis and the Santa Brigada, carrying between them over £1 million pounds' worth of Mexican bullion, making their capture one of the most valuable ever carried out by the Royal Navy.