Thomas Luny 1759-1837

This fine composition by Luny commemorates Admiral Lord Exmouth's great action which followed Napoleon's final defeat.  In 1816 Exmouth was ordered to visit several North African countries to obtain the release of all British subjects, but he met with opposition from the Bey of Algiers who refused to abolish Christian slavery.  After further incidents in Algiers it was determined that action should be taken, and on 28th July 1816 Exmouth set out from Plymouth with two three-deckers, the Queen Charlotte and the Impregnable, three 74-gun ships, one of 50 guns, four frigates and nine smaller vessels.  At Gibraltar he was joined by a squadron of Dutch frigates and reached Algiers on 27th August. 

At two o'clock that afternoon no answer had been received to his demand for the release of Christian slaves and an abolition of slavery, so he gave the order to attack.  The fire from the batteries in Algiers was returned by the ships and a fierce action commenced, lasting for eight hours.  The batteries were eventually silenced, much of the city having been destroyed.  Exmouth's demands were finally granted leading to the release of three thousand slaves. 

He returned to England in triumph and was created a Viscount and given the freedom of the City of London together with a richly decorated sword.  Many European countries also showed their gratitude and he was made Knight of the Spanish Order of Charles III, of the Neapolitan Order of St Ferdinand, of the Netherlands Order of Wilhelm, and of the Sardinian Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus. 

Luny produced a number of versions of this composition, in varying sizes.  The prime version descended in the family of Viscount Exmouth until it was sold in these rooms on 6th April 1993, lot 4.