About this sheet
Original antique hand-colored steel engraving depicting the naval battle fought by the Chevalier Des Augers against the Dutch on 13 April 1706.
The original French title is:
“Combat naval livré par le chevalier des Augers contre les Hollandais, le 13 avril 1706.”
The scene was engraved by Joseph Skelton (1760–1848) after a painting by the celebrated French marine artist Baron Théodore Gudin (1802–1880), for the Galerie Historique de Versailles. The Louvre records the work in its Chalcographie collection and identifies the technique as etching and burin on steel, produced using Gavard’s diagraphe and pantograph process.
Gudin presents the battle at extremely close quarters, with richly decorated French and Dutch warships surrounded by smoke, turbulent water and billowing sails. The restrained original hand coloring emphasizes the flags, rigging and elaborate sterns of the vessels.
The historical Versailles catalogue records the subject as “Combat livré par le chevalier des Augers contre les Hollandais” and dates the action to 13 April 1706.
Théodore Gudin was one of France’s foremost Romantic marine painters and became an official Peintre de la Marine in 1830. His dramatic naval paintings formed an important part of the historical galleries created at Versailles.
Artist: Baron Théodore Gudin (1802–1880)
Engraver: Joseph Skelton (1760–1848)
Original title: Combat naval livré par le chevalier des Augers contre les Hollandais
Technique: Original steel engraving with hand coloring
Subject: French naval battle against the Dutch
Historical date depicted: 13 April 1706
Publication: Galerie Historique de Versailles
Origin: France
Date: circa 1840
Style: Romantic / Maritime
Condition:
Good antique condition with overall age-related toning, scattered foxing and spotting, particularly in the broad margins. Some more noticeable staining is present toward the lower margin. Minor marks and handling traces are consistent with age. The engraved image remains strong and atmospheric with attractive period hand coloring. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
Please note: This is an original antique 19th-century hand-colored engraving, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
Keywords: Chevalier Des Augers, Théodore Gudin, Joseph Skelton, French Navy, Dutch Navy, French Dutch naval battle, naval warfare, War of the Spanish Succession, Louis XIV, sailing warships, maritime history, Dutch maritime history, French maritime history, antique naval engraving, hand-colored engraving, Galerie Historique de Versailles, Romantic marine art, original antique print, circa 1840
