The ‘Formidable’ is in the centre of the picture with the ‘Ville de Paris’, her main topmast falling, centre left; both are shown in port-quarter view. ‘Barfleur’, carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral Samuel Hood, is ahead of both of them, her bow, foremast and the foremost part of her hull alone being visible. To right, also in the mid-ground, prominent among a number of vessels arranged as far back as the horizon, are placed two pairings of British ships and French prizes, with in each case the French colours struck. Those on the extreme right are identifiable via their stern counters as ‘Centaur’ and ‘César’. The overall impression given is that a British victory is imminent.

The NMM also holds a related oil by Luny (see BHC0701), although as it contains several slight compositional and narrative variances (focusing more on the flagships at the moment the ‘Ville de Paris’ surrenders), it seems likely if it was ever engraved it would have formed a pendant to this item.

The inscription below, which appears to have been etched, reads: “Lord Rodney defeating the French Fleet Commanded by Count de Grasse, between the Islands of Dominica & Guadaloupe [sic]. April 12:1782”. This may thus be a trial impression produced by Byrne (named as its “proprietor”), as the otherwise identical PAG8899 bears a longer, and engraved, inscription and refers to three other (presumably licensed) sellers.