Pocock, Nicholas "To the memory of Captain George Nicholas Hardinge... Actions... with La Piémontaise French Frigate, near the Island of Ceylon, 8 March 1808.."

Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821). "To the memory of Captain George Nicholas Hardinge... Actions... with La Piémontaise French Frigate, near the Island of Ceylon, 8 March 1808...". 

London: N. Pocock, September, 1809. 16 1/4 x 23 3/8 (image). Aquatint. Original hand color. Old mounting glue stain in top margin not affecting image. Else, very good condition. With decorative French mat.

A large and wonderfully detailed naval print showing the conclusion of the battle between the English frigate San Fiorenzo and the French frigate Piémontaise. On 6 March 1808, H.M.S. San Fiorenzo (38-gun; Capt. George Hardinge) came across three small English merchant ships being pursued by the French frigate Piémontaise. The English frigate chased the French frigate for two days and on March 8th the two ships fought a fierce battle with the French ship surrendering. Captain Hardinge was among thirteen dead British, while the French lost forty eight.

The artist of this print, Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821), was one of the outstanding marine artists of his day and also made an important contribution to the recording of British naval battles of the early 19th century. The way in which he depicted his subjects reflects his knowledge of how these ships operated at sea. An excellent example of English naval prints of this period.