Pictures for today: the Glorious First of June

On this day, the First of June, in 1794 the British and French fleets met in battle. Here are three of the most beautiful of the many pictures which have been created to capture what become known in Britain as "The Glorious First of June." 

What was particularly unusual about this battle is that both sides succeeded in the object for which they fought.

The objective of the French fleet was to get a grain convoy through to France, which they succeeded in doing, the objective of the Royal Navy was to inflict serious damage on the French fleet, which they also succeeded in doing.

Here are three depictions of the event, painted respectively by Derek Gardner, Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg, and John Bentham-Dinsdale.























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