Inscribed: “Le Formidable, au combat de Cadix. (Le 13 Juillet 1801)” and (below) with an account in French of the “heroic combat” given by ‘Formidable’ off Algeciras Bay (near Gibraltar), when she was able to escape from the ‘Venerable’, ‘Thames’, ‘Caesar’ and ‘Superb’. Commander Troude of the ‘Formidable’ sent a largely fallacious and very self-glorifying dispatch which was accepted by the French government and Troude was afterwards regarded as a naval hero and promoted.

‘Formidable’ dominates the composition, being shown in port-bow view in the centre foreground, sailing towards the viewer and putting distance between herself and ‘Venerable’, which is depicted behind her to left port-broadside on. ‘Formidable’ is without topmasts, and ‘Venerable’, having already lost her maintop, is depicted at the moment her foretop fell. In the background, to right, three further ships of indistinct nationality – two of them likewise severely disabled – are also shown.

No.13 (as per inscription) in Louis Le Breton’s series ‘Les Vaisseaux Célèbres’ (Famous Vessels). As a young man, Le Breton had sailed on Dumont d'Urville's second voyage of scientific exploration (1837-40), in time becoming the expedition's official illustrator. By 1847 he was painting full-time, devoted himself mainly to depicting naval scenes, until his death of cholera in 1866.

Hand-coloured. Signed by artist in plate (including an anchor mark preceding his name).