Captain Pearson of the Serapis, with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard
Date1780
After
Richard Paton
(English, 1717 - 1791)
Engraver
Daniel Lerpinière
(English, 1740 - 1785)
Engraver
James Fittler
(English, 1758 - 1835)
Publisher
John Boydell
(English, 1719 - 1804)
Geography
Published -
England
Medium/TechniqueInk on paper; mezzotint.
DimensionsOverall (from auction house): 19 1/2 in. x 23 1/2 in. (49.53 cm x 59.69 cm)
Credit LineAcquired through the generosity of Daniel K. Chandler and Neysa M. Slater-Chandler, 2011
Object numberM-5261
DescriptionSeascape of a naval engagment between the British Captain Pearson of the Serapis with the American Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard during the American Revolution.MarkingsPrinted in ink below the bottom-left corner of the image: "Richd. Paton Pinxit.".
Printed in ink below the bottom-right corner of the image: "Lerpiniere & Fittler Sculpt.".
Printed in ink below the image, "J. Boydell exudit 1781. / The Memorable Engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis / with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23, 1779 / To Sir Richard Pearson Knt. whose Bravery & Conduct saved the Baltic Fleet, under his Convoy tho' obliged to / submit to a much superior force, This representative of that Action, Is with great Respect Inscribed , by his most obedient Servant, / Richard Parton. / Published Decr. 12th. 1780, by John Boydell, Engraver, in Cheapside, London.".
Printed in ink below the bottom-right side of the image: "Combat memorable donne le 22.7.1779, entre le Capitaine Pearson commandant / Le Serapis, et Paul Jones commandant le Bon-Homme-Richard, & Son Escadre.".
Printed in ink below the bottom-left corner of the image are columns detailing the men, guns, and losses of the ships involved: "Serapis...Guns / 40... Men / 250 ... Killed / 49 ... Wounded / 68 ... all her Men & Guns abast the Main mast / on the lower deck were blown up, the Ship was set on fire several times & the main mast shot away. / Countess of Scarborough Armed Ship. her rigging & sails were much shot & damaged, 7 Guns dis- / mounted, 4 Men killed & 20 wounded.~".
Printed in ink on the bottom-left edge: "N.B. The Bon Homme Richard lost 306 killed & wounded was set on Fire twice very much damaged, her / lower deck Guns dismounted & so leaky that she sunk the next day with many of the wounded.~".
Printed in ink below the bottom-right corner of the image are columns detailing the men, guns, and losses of the ships involved in French: "Forcees des Anglois. / Le Serapis... Canon. / 40... homme d'equipage. / 250...tues. / 49... blesses / 68. / Tous ses hommes et ses canons qui etoient derriere le grand amt sur le franctillac sautere en l'air.~ / Le vaisseau fut en feu a plusieurs reprises, et le grand mat fut emporte a la mer.~ / La Countess-of-Scarborough , vaisseu arme en guerre eut ses agrets et ses voules coupees et pervees par les / boulets et tres-endommages, 7 de ses canons furent de montes 4 hommes de son equpage furent tue et 20 blesses. / Forces des Ennemies.".
Printed in ink on the bottom-right edge: "N.B. Le Bonne Homme Richard eut 306 hommes tant tues quel blesses. Le vaisseu fut tres endommage et fut deux fois enger les canons / de son franctillac furent de montes, et il faisoit une si grande quantite d'eau qu'il coula a fond le lendemain avec un grand nombre des blesses a / Son bord.~".
Mount Vernon's object research is ongoing and information about this object is subject to change. For information on image use and reproductions, click here.
1778
