Beschreibung:

William Sadler II (c.1782-1839) Battle of Copenhagen - 1801 Oil on canvas, 38.25 x 54.5cm (15¼ x 21½") The Parker Gallery, London label verso Battle of Copenhagen 1801 Destruction of the Dannebrog at the Trekroner Battery An incident in the Napoleonic wars. England had declared a trade embargo to weaken the French. A group of neutral countries, headed by Russia, formed the League of Armed Neutrality in order to continue vital continental trade. Denmark had joined this reluctantly. England objected, but also provoked Denmark, as the opportunity presented itself of neutralising the Danish navy, one of the largest in Europe. Unwilling to accept the ultimatum delivered, the Danes set about the defence of Copenhagen, relying on shore batteries (in particular the Three Crowns Fort at the entrance of the harbour) supplemented by anchored men-o-war. The Dannebrog was an obsolete 60 gun, double decker, built in 1772, being used as a gun platform. Attacked by bomb vessels, she caught fire at 11.30am, ran aground and exploded at 4.30pm, killing all 250 of her remaining crew. Shortly afterwards, to avoid the threatened bombardment of the civilian areas of the city, the Danes accepted a capitulation. However, all was not lost from the English viewpoint, as in 1807 they merrily bombarded Copenhagen for real using, indiscriminately, hundreds of experimental Congreve Rockets which being recoiless, could be fired at point-blank range from rowing boats. Besides killing civilians, some 90% of the city was destroyed. William Sadler and his workshop obviously found a ready market for depictions of military and naval battles. The Nelson myth (the pillar in Sackville Street was erected in 1808-1809), and stories of the Duke of Wellingtons victories were eagerly consumed by an Irish middle class who had prospered in the course of the war. A readily available source for Sadlers compositions was the numerous coloured aquatints that were published at the time. Nick Nicholson 2015 William Sadler II (c.1782-1839) Battle of Copenhagen - 1801 Oil on canvas, 38.25 x 54.5cm (15¼ x 21½") The Parker Gallery, London label verso Battle of Copenhagen 1801 Destruction of the Dannebrog at the Trekroner Battery An incident in the Napoleonic wars. England had declared a trade embargo to weaken the French. A group of neutral countries, headed by Russia, formed the League of Armed Neutrality in order to continue vital continental trade. Denmark had joined this reluctantly. England objected, but also provoked Denmark, as the opportunity presented itself of neutralising the Danish navy, one of the largest in Europe. Unwilling to accept the ultimatum delivered, the Danes set about the defence of Copenhagen, relying on shore batteries (in particular the Three Crowns Fort at the entrance of the harbour) supplemented by anchored men-o-war. The Dannebrog was an obsolete 60 gun, double decker, built in 1772, being used as a gun platform. Attacked by bomb vessels, she caught fire at 11.30am, ran aground and exploded at 4.30pm, killing all 250 of her remaining crew. Shortly afterwards, to avoid the threatened bombardment of the civilian areas of the city, the Danes accepted a capitulation. However, all was not lost from the English viewpoint, as in 1807 they merrily bombarded Copenhagen for real using, indiscriminately, hundreds of experimental Congreve Rockets which being recoiless, could be fired at point-blank range from rowing boats. Besides killing civilians, some 90% of the city was destroyed. William Sadler and his workshop obviously found a ready market for depictions of military and naval battles. The Nelson myth (the pillar in Sackville Street was erected in 1808-1809), and stories of the Duke of Wellingtons victories were eagerly consumed by an Irish middle class who had prospered in the course of the war. A readily available source for Sadlers compositions was the numerous coloured aquatints that were published at the time. Nick Nicholson 2015