Note concerning painting of the capture of the ‘Resistance’ and ‘Constance’ by the 'San Fiorenzo'

This note is from naval officer Sir Harry Neale to marine artist Nicolas Pocock, providing feedback on Pocock’s preparatory sketches for a painting depicting the capture of two large French frigates, the ‘Resistance’ and the ‘Constance’, by the British ‘San Fiorenzo’ on 9 March 1797. Neale commanded the ‘San Fiorenzo’ during the action and commissioned Pocock to paint the action for his wife, Lady Grace Elizabeth Neale.

In this note, Neale provides Pocock with instructions for the positioning of the ships and notes that the fee of 25 guineas that he had agreed to pay the artist for the picture was not inclusive of the cost of the frame. The full text of the note is published in David Cordingly, 'Nicholas Pocock' (1986), p. 11.

The note is associated with a related note and sketch by Pocock (PAD8744). The artist’s finished painting of the capture of the ‘Resistance’ and ‘Constance’ is BHC0495.