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

Baur employs a restrained palette that shifts from luminous sky to darker sea, creating depth through tonal contrast reminiscent of chiaroscuro. Bold, expressive brushwork defines the rigging and sails, while meticulous detailing renders the hull and surrounding boats, balancing realism with a sense of atmospheric movement.

Completed two years after the Algiers action, the painting was likely commissioned to commemorate the successful campaign. It entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it has remained a documented example of Dutch maritime historiography.

The work reflects Britain’s post‑Napoleonic naval dominance and the broader European effort to suppress the Barbary corsairs. It situates the Queen Charlotte within a fleet poised for a humanitarian intervention, illustrating the intersection of military might and diplomatic objectives in the early 1800s.