Battle of Grand Port | Pierre Julien Gilbert | 19th Century

This dramatic oil on canvas by Pierre Julien depicts the aftermath of the Battle of Grand Port (1810), one of the rare French naval victories over the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. From left to right, the composition shows HMS Iphigenia striking her colours (an event that in fact occurred the following day), HMS Magicienne and HMS Sirius being scuttled by fire, and HMS Nereide already surrendered in the foreground. Opposite them lie the victorious French frigates Bellone and Minerve, with Victor and Ceylon visible in the background. Julien’s luminous sky and carefully staged arrangement transform the chaotic end of the battle into a grand, almost theatrical record of French triumph in the waters of Mauritius.

The Battle of Grand Port (20–27 August 1810) was a significant naval engagement of the Mauritius campaign (1809–1811) during the Napoleonic Wars and stands out as one of the few clear French naval victories over the Royal Navy in this period. Fought in the sheltered harbor of Grand Port on the southeast coast of Île de France (modern Mauritius), the battle saw a British squadron attempt to seize control of the strategically vital anchorage and cut French privateering operations in the Indian Ocean. Through a combination of skilful maneuvering, local knowledge of the dangerous reefs, and determined resistance, the French under Commodore Guy-Victor Duperré managed to trap and defeat the British ships, capturing or destroying four frigates. Although tactically a French triumph and celebrated as such in France—one of the only naval victories inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe—the success was short-lived, as the British soon regrouped and went on to capture Mauritius later in 1810, securing their dominance in the region.

Print: 

A premium quality heavyweight (200gsm) fine art print material with a smooth, clean finish. This museum quality paper is extremely consistent and works perfectly with large, full colour graphics or illustrations. The matte finish emphasises different highlights and tones in the source artworks; helping to create stunning works of art.

- All prints feature a 0.25 inch white border to ensure space for framing. 

Our Eco Credentials Include:

• FSC approved or sustainably sourced paper
• Printed using water based inks
• Local fulfilment reduces carbon emissions
• Contains no plastic

Sizes:

12’’ x 8’’ Inches = 30.5 cm x 20.3 cm

18’’ x 12’’ Inches = 45.7 cm x 30.5 cm 

24" x 16" Inches = 61 cm x 40.6 cm