Artwork

St. John d'Acre with H.B.M's ships Le Tigre & Theseus &c employed in its defence 2. May 1799 with a plan of St. John D'Acre and of the naval action'

St. John d'Acre with H.B.M's ships Le Tigre & Theseus &c employed in its defence 2. May 1799 with a plan of St. John D'Acre and of the naval action' is a watercolor work on paper by the Romanticist artist Michel-François Préaulx. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a watercolour executed in 1799 that records the British naval defense of St.

About this work

In the foreground, there is a blue banner with text that appears to be a title or description of the painting.

This watercolour painting shows a hazy, distant view of a city on a coastline. There are several ships in the water, and a few buildings are visible in the city. The sky is cloudy and grey.

In the foreground, there is a blue banner with text that appears to be a title or description of the painting. The text is written in a formal, old-fashioned style and includes the date "2 May 1799". The banner also features a small map or plan of the area.

The painting is done in a Romantic style, with a focus on dramatic lighting and atmospheric effects. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds to the overall mood of the painting.

Overview

The work is a watercolour executed in 1799 that records the British naval defense of St. John d'Acre on 2 May of that year. It combines a panoramic view of the coastal town with a schematic plan of the city and the accompanying sea battle, highlighting the presence of HMS Le Tigre and HMS Theseus among the defending fleet.

Subject & Meaning

The image documents a moment in the siege of Acre when Ottoman and British forces repelled the French expedition led by Napoleon. By juxtaposing the city’s layout with the naval engagement, the drawing emphasizes the coordinated land‑sea effort that secured the town’s survival.

Technique & Style

Rendered in watercolour, the piece employs a muted palette and soft, atmospheric washes to convey a hazy, overcast sky. Subtle chiaroscuro creates depth, while the inclusion of a miniature map on a blue banner integrates cartographic detail within the pictorial composition, reflecting a Romantic interest in drama and landscape.

History & Provenance

The composition originates from a sketch by F. B. Spilsbury, which was commissioned by John Spencer Smith, the Levant Company’s chargé d’affaires and brother of Admiral Sir Sidney Smith. Smith engaged the French artist Michel‑François Préaulx to produce several drawings of the siege, of which this watercolour is one.

Legacy

The image was later reproduced as an aquatint by J. Jeakes and issued by publisher E. Orme, helping to disseminate visual accounts of the Acre campaign throughout Britain. It remains a valuable documentary source for the naval aspects of the 1799 siege.