Who painted The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama?

The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama was painted by Édouard Manet in 1865.

Where can I see The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama?

The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama is held by Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What movement is The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama?

The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama is associated with French Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama?

Museum-quality prints of The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama

Édouard Manet , 1865

The Battle of the Kearsarge and the Alabama is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Édouard Manet. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Édouard Manet’s 1864 oil painting records the naval clash between the Union cruiser USS Kearsarge and the Confederate raider CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France. Executed shortly after the June 19 engagement, the work entered the Parisian print shop of Alfred Cadart, where it was exhibited to the public.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas captures a tempestuous sea where two warships exchange fire, their smoke billowing against a storm‑laden sky. A smaller vessel in the foreground appears to be struggling, emphasizing the perilous conditions and the human cost of the confrontation.

Technique & Style

Manet employs vigorous brushwork to render the churning water and dense smoke, creating a sense of movement and tension. The palette of muted blues and grays, punctuated by stark whites, heightens the drama of the maritime conflict.

History & Provenance

Although Manet did not witness the battle, he relied on contemporary newspaper accounts to compose the scene. After its Paris showing, the painting was praised by critic Philippe Burty and later described in 1872 by Barbey d’Aurevilly as a striking marine work. French collector Marguerite Charpentier acquired it in 1878; it now belongs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s permanent collection.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Édouard Manet

Édouard Manet was a French modernist painter. He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, as well as a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impressionism.