Council of War on board the 'Queen Charlotte', commanded by Lord Exmouth, prior to the Bombardment of Algiers, 26 August 1816

While the artist's identity and fame are unknown, the work's composition effectively layers the scene: the foreground features small boats, behind which the officers meet, with a fleet of warships visible under a hazy sky, suggesting a sense of depth and impending action.

The painting's origins are tied to the event itself, created either by an eyewitness or someone informed about the meeting. Specific details about its creation, artist, or early ownership are not highlighted in available information.

The Bombardment of Algiers was a British naval operation responding to the enslavement of Christians by the Barbary States. This painting provides a visual precursor to the event, highlighting the strategic planning that preceded the military action.