Artwork
The Anglo-Dutch Fleet under Lord Exmouth and Vice Admiral Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen putting out the Algerian Strongholds, 27 August 1816
The Anglo-Dutch Fleet under Lord Exmouth and Vice Admiral Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen putting out the Algerian Strongholds, 27 August 1816 is an oil painting by Nicolaas Baur. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The depiction draws on iconography of naval dominance and colonial-era maritime strategy, symbolizing diplomatic and military assertion in the Mediterranean.
The painting portrays a naval expedition targeting Algerian strongholds on 27 August 1816, depicting the Anglo-Dutch fleet in motion against fortified coastal positions. The composition emphasizes maritime power and intervention, aligning with the historical event known as the Bombardment of Algiers. Rendered in oil on panel, the work exemplifies marine art through its focus on ships, sea, and military action at sea.
It is part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, and Villa Welgelegen, reflecting its significance within Dutch institutional holdings.
The depiction draws on iconography of naval dominance and colonial-era maritime strategy, symbolizing diplomatic and military assertion in the Mediterranean. The artist Nicolaas Baur captures both the dynamic movement of vessels and the strategic objective of dismantling corsair bases, linking visual narrative to geopolitical objectives of the early 19th century.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on panel. It portrays the Anglo-Dutch fleet under Lord Exmouth and Vice Admiral Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen in the 1816 Bombardment of Algiers, a marine scene rendered with a focus on naval detail and atmospheric lighting.
The surface is a wooden panel, typical of early 19th‑century Dutch marine painting, and the composition emphasizes the movement of ships and the intensity of the bombardment.
The formal qualities reflect a realistic yet dramatic approach, combining precise ship construction with a compositional balance that underscores the strategic significance of the operation.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Nicolaas Baur in 1818 as an oil on panel work depicting the Anglo-Dutch fleet action against Algerian strongholds on 27 August 1816. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and is also held by the Mauritshuis and Villa Welgelegen, forming part of the institutional groupings associated with those museums.
The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. According to the available records, the work is also associated with the Mauritshuis and Villa Welgelegen.
No specific inventory or accession number is documented in the provided sources, and no exhibition history is recorded.
Legacy
Nicolaas Baur’s The Anglo-Dutch Fleet under Lord Exmouth and Vice Admiral Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen putting out the Algerian Strongholds, 27 August 1816 (1818) holds a distinct place in 19th-century marine art as a documentary-style depiction of the Bombardment of Algiers. Its inclusion in major Dutch collections, such as the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, and Villa Welgelegen, has ensured its visibility as a historical record of naval power and diplomacy.
The work’s reputation rests on its precise rendering of the 1816 engagement, reinforcing its role as both artistic and archival evidence. While not a canonical masterpiece, it exemplifies the era’s demand for accurate naval scenes, influencing later marine painters who prioritized topographical and tactical detail over idealized compositions.
Overview
Nicolaas Baur’s 1818 oil on canvas records the night‑time assault on Algiers by the combined Anglo‑Dutch fleet under Lord Exmouth and Vice‑Admiral Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen. The composition captures the chaotic moment of the bombardment on 27 August 1816, with warships illuminated by cannon fire and lantern light against a storm‑filled sky. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Women’s Skating Competition on the Stadsgracht in Leeuwarden, 21 January 1809
The Anglo-Dutch Fleet in the Bay of Algiers Backing up the Ultimatum to Release the Christian Slaves, 26 August 1816- The fire on the Wharves of Algiers, shortly after the commencement of the Bombardment by the Anglo-Dutch Fleet, 27 August 1816
De verovering van de Royal Prince
The Encounter of the Dutch and the English Fleet during the Voyage of the Dutch Flotilla to Boulogne, 1805
The Anglo-Dutch Fleet under Lord Exmouth and Vice Admiral Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen putting out the Algerian Strongholds, 27 August 1816
Encounter between the English and the Dutch Fleets at La Hogue 29th May 1692
Council of War on board the 'Queen Charlotte', commanded by Lord Exmouth, prior to the Bombardment of Algiers, 26 August 1816
Seascape with Dutch Men-of-War and Fishing Boats