Artwork
Naval battle of Gondelour, june 20, 1783
Naval battle of Gondelour, june 20, 1783 is an oil painting by Auguste Jugelet. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1836 by French painter Auguste Jugelet, this oil on canvas records the naval engagement that took place off Gondelour on 20 June 1783. The work is part of the collection at the Palace of Versailles, where it is displayed among other historical representations of French maritime activity.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a crowded sea battle, showing several warships locked in close combat. Smoke curls from the muzzle of cannons, while a vessel in the foreground bears a flag marked by a white cross on a blue field. A distant ship appears engulfed in flames, underscoring the violent stakes of the encounter.
Technique & Style
Jugelet employs a realistic, detail‑driven approach, rendering the rigging, hulls, and billowing smoke with precise brushwork. The palette emphasizes muted blues and grays punctuated by the bright orange of fire, creating a sense of immediacy and disorder that conveys the chaotic atmosphere of naval warfare.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the royal collection and was eventually placed in the Palace of Versailles. It has remained there since, serving as a visual record of a lesser‑known 18th‑century conflict and reflecting the 19th‑century French interest in documenting national military history.
Artist & collection
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En episode af søslaget i Køge Bugt 1677
En episode af søslaget i Køge Bugt 1677
