The Battle of the 1 June, 1794, 1795 (oil on canvas)

Creator: Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg Lord Howe's action, or the Glorious First of June' (its original title) is an interpretation of the first major fleet battle of the French Revolutionary War, 1793-1801. The English commander-in-chief, Lord Howe, sailed with the Channel Fleet to intercept the convoy, which neither side in fact encountered, and which reached Brest in safety. Instead the two battle fleets made contact on 28 May, some 365 nautical miles (673 km) off Ushant, Brittany. The struggle between the two flagships locked in battle dominates the centre of the composition, with the French 'Montagne', 120 guns, on the right and the 'Queen Charlotte', 100 guns, flying the Union flag of Howe on the left, both in port-bow view. The effect of the British fire can be seen in the confusion aboard the French ship with bodies falling from her gun ports.