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Perry's Victory on Lake Erie

Napoleon Sarony

1858

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Marine

Dominant colour

Perry's Victory on Lake Erie is a 1858 ink by Napoleon Sarony, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Napoleon Sarony
When & what style?: 1858 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a chaotic battle at sea with six tall ships firing cannons. Smoke explodes near the center, and waves crash around the boats. Some ships fly American flags, while others have British colors. The caption at the bottom explains this is a key moment in a naval fight on Lake Erie. The artist used quick, dramatic strokes to show the action and chaos. If you like this style, look up Romanticism next.