Artwork
'The Robust' Engaging 'The Hoche' off Tory Island, 12th October 1798
'The Robust' Engaging 'The Hoche' off Tory Island, 12th October 1798 is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist John Thomas Serres. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
John Thomas Serres, an English marine artist who later served as Maritime Painter to King George III, completed this oil painting in 1800. The work records a naval clash that took place on 12 October 1798 off the coast of Tory Island, showing the British warship HMS Robust engaging the French vessel Hoche. It is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas captures a moment of combat at sea, with the larger, heavily‑armed Robust on the left unleashing a broadside toward the smaller French ship. The scene emphasizes the peril of maritime warfare, the clash of national flags, and the stark, weather‑worn environment that frames the encounter.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, Serres renders the ships with meticulous attention to rigging, hull detail, and the spray of the waves. The muted, cloud‑filled sky and the textured surface convey a dramatic, Romantic atmosphere, while the precise rendering of sails and cannon fire reflects the artist’s naval expertise.
History & Provenance
Painted shortly after the battle, the work reflects contemporary British interest in naval victories during the Revolutionary Wars. It entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display as a representative example of early‑19th‑century British maritime art.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Thomas Serres (December 1759 – 28 December 1825) was an English maritime painter who enjoyed significant success, including exhibiting extensively at the Royal Academy, and was for a time Maritime Painter to King George III.
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