French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Aboukir and River Nile, 1798 (Abu Qir, Alexandria, Egypt) 31°19'10"N 30°03'38"E
published 1 Jan 1806Stipple engraving; printed on paper | 47.9 x 56.8 cm (image) | RCIN 735073.a
The Battle of the Nile took place in the Bay of Aboukir. The French expeditionary force under the command of Napoleon was defeated by the British commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson. This view depicts the moment when (according to the letterpress text) 'the Character of the brave Admiral shines with peculiar lustre', his having received the wound which deprived him of the sight of his right eye, and ordering the launching of the only fit boat to the assistance of the crew of the French admiral's ship L'Orient, which had blown up. Captain Sir Edward Berry, standing to Nelson's right on one of the quarter deck guns, is repeating the orders. To the right of Berry is Lieutenant Adye, and in the background, hand raised to his forehead, is midshipman Ives. In the left foreground can be seen the sailors hoisting out the boat.
The original picture, from which this aquatint was taken, was 'of considerable dimensions, the Figures being as large as Life', and was exhibited at Daniel Orme's gallery at 118 Bond Street.
Dedication: [bottom centre, below title:] To The King's most Excellent Majesty / This Print representing the Quarter Deck of LORD NELSON'S SHIP THE VANGUARD, on the Night of the ever Memorable first of Aug.st 1798. / Is most Humbly Dedicated by His Majesty's Dutiful Subject & Engraver / Daniel Orme.
See RCIN 735073.b for the key to this view.
Condition: no fold lines.
Daniel Orme (1766-1837) (artist and engraver) [bottom left, below edge of view:] Painted by Danl Orme
Robert Cooper (active 1795-1836) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Engraved by Dan.l Orme Historical Engraver to His Majesty &c. &c. and by Rob.t Cooper.
Edward Orme (1775-28 September 1848) (publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of view:] Published & Sold Jan.y 1, 1805, by Edw.d Orme, 59 Bond Street, London.
Subject(s)
Royal NavyNavy-FranceHoratio Nelson (1758-1805)Vanguard (HMS)Watermark: None visible
Condition: no fold lines
42.4 x 56.8 cm (neatline)
47.9 x 56.8 cm (image)
50.9 x 61.0 cm (platemark)
51.9 x 61.9 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
BATTLE OF THE NILE. [bottom centre, below view]
Dedication:
[bottom centre, below title:] To The King's most Excellent Majesty / This Print representing the Quarter Deck of LORD NELSON'S SHIP THE VANGUARD, on the Night of the ever Memorable first of Aug.st 1798. / Is most Humbly Dedicated by His Majesty's Dutiful Subject & Engraver / Daniel Orme.
Annotations:
George III heading [black pencil:] Military Naval Engagement of the Nile 1 Aug 1798 Port folio No 5.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the George III heading and, black pencil, in a modern hand, the annotation to the number:] –a CMB Jan ‘87; [bottom left, black pencil:] 134.b; [top right, black pencil:] 46; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 43.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement Representation of the Quarter Deck of Lord Nelson's Ship the Vanguard on the night of the Battle of the Nile, 1.st of August 1798: by D. Orme, 1805.
Subject(s)
Abu Qir, Alexandria, Egypt (31°19'10"N 30°03'38"E)
Bibliographic reference(s)
H. Parker, Naval battles from the collection of prints formed and owned by Commander Sir Charles Leopold Cust. With an introduction by C.N. Robinson, London 1911, no.134.b
Page revisions
6 June 2024
Current version
