Title: French-British Naval Battle of Negapatam, India, c. 1840
Original antique hand-colored steel engraving depicting the Battle of Negapatam, fought off the coast of India on 6 July 1782.
The original French title reads: “Combat naval en vue de Negapatam, le 6 juillet 1782”
The engraving was made by Jean-Marie Chavanne after Théodore Dubois for the celebrated Galerie Historique de Versailles. The same composition is preserved in the Louvre's Chalcographie collection.
The Battle of Negapatam was fought between a French fleet commanded by Admiral Pierre André de Suffren and a British fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hughes during the wider conflict of the American War of Independence. The battle took place off the Coromandel Coast of southern India and formed part of Suffren's important naval campaign in the Indian Ocean.
The engraving presents the opposing warships at close range beneath a dramatic sky, with smoke rising between the vessels and rough seas in the foreground. Delicate period hand coloring highlights the sails, flags, rigging and elaborately decorated ships.
Artist: Théodore Dubois
Engraver: Jean-Marie Chavanne
Original title: Combat naval en vue de Negapatam, le 6 juillet 1782
Technique: Original steel engraving with hand coloring
Subject: Battle of Negapatam / French-British naval battle
Historical date depicted: 6 July 1782
Location: Negapatam (Nagapattinam), India
Historical figures: Admiral Pierre André de Suffren and Admiral Sir Edward Hughes
Publication: Galerie Historique de Versailles
Origin: France
Date: circa 1840
Style: Romantic / Maritime
Condition: Good antique condition with overall age-related toning and scattered foxing and spotting, particularly throughout the broad margins. More noticeable foxing is present along the upper and right margins. Minor stains, marks and handling traces are consistent with age. The engraved image remains attractive and retains its period hand coloring. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.
Please note: This is an original antique 19th-century hand-colored engraving, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only.
Keywords: Battle of Negapatam, Negapatam 1782, Nagapattinam, India, Coromandel Coast, Pierre André de Suffren, Admiral Suffren, Edward Hughes, British Navy, French Navy, Royal Navy, Indian Ocean, American War of Independence, Anglo-French naval battle, colonial India, maritime history, antique India print, naval engraving, Jean-Marie Chavanne, Théodore Dubois, Galerie Historique de Versailles, Romantic marine art, hand-colored engraving, original antique print, circa 1840
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