French-British Naval Battle of Negapatam, India, c.1840

Maritime · 19th century

French-British Naval Battle of Negapatam, India, c.1840

€ 355

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1840
Mapmaker / artist: Théodore Dubois
Publisher: France
Technique: Original steel engraving with hand coloring
Sheet size: 28.8 × 39.8 cm (11.3 × 15.7 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14351-7

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Wear consistent with age and use. Good antique condition with overall age-related toning and scattered foxing and spotting, particularly throughout the broad margins. More noticeable foxing is present along the upper and right margins. Minor stains, marks and handling traces.

About this sheet

Original antique hand-colored steel engraving depicting the Battle of Negapatam, fought off the coast of India on 6 July 1782.

The original French title reads: “Combat naval en vue de Negapatam, le 6 juillet 1782”

The engraving was made by Jean-Marie Chavanne after Théodore Dubois for the celebrated Galerie Historique de Versailles. The same composition is preserved in the Louvre's Chalcographie collection.

The Battle of Negapatam was fought between a French fleet commanded by Admiral Pierre André de Suffren and a British fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hughes during the wider conflict of the American War of Independence. The battle took place off the Coromandel Coast of southern India and formed part of Suffren's important naval campaign in the Indian Ocean.

The engraving presents the opposing warships at close range beneath a dramatic sky, with smoke rising between the vessels and rough seas in the foreground. Delicate period hand coloring highlights the sails, flags, rigging and elaborately decorated ships.

Original title: Combat naval en vue de Negapatam, le 6 juillet 1782

Subject: Battle of Negapatam / French-British naval battle

Historical date depicted: 6 July 1782

Location: Negapatam (Nagapattinam), India

Historical figures: Admiral Pierre André de Suffren and Admiral Sir Edward Hughes

Publication: Galerie Historique de Versailles

Style: Romantic / Maritime

Good antique condition with overall age-related toning and scattered foxing and spotting, particularly throughout the broad margins. More noticeable foxing is present along the upper and right margins. Minor stains, marks and handling traces are consistent with age. The engraved image remains attractive and retains its 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.