Thomas Luny (1759-1837) - Barbary Wars (1801 - 1816) Naval battle 1815

Canvas canvas 77 cm by 53 cm
Frame of 94 cm by 70 cm

Our painting represents a naval battle in the Mediterranean during the conflict known as the Barbary Wars (1801; 1815). States with in particular Algiers but also Tunis and Tripoli indulged in piracy and the slave trade in the Mediterranean but also in the Atlantic along the African coasts. Their activities were facilitated by the troubles on the European continent (the Napoleonic wars 1802; 1815) and the Anglo-American conflict of 1812.
The conflict ended in 1816 with the bombing of Algiers, the Dey was forced to negotiate Peace

Thomas Luny (1759; 1837)

Thomas Luny (1759; 1837), was born in Cornwall, English artist and painter, he painted mainly seascapes and seascapes. Luny left Cornwall to live in London when she was 9 years old. There, he became the apprentice of Francis Holman, a marine painter who would have a great and lasting artistic influence on Luny. Success came quickly, he exhibited at the Royal Academy 29 times between 1780 and 1802. His meeting with a certain Mr Merle, framer and merchant of his state is very productive, their collaboration will last more than 20 years. Note also the collaboration between the artist and the British company of the East Indies, the latter acquired very many paintings and quite regularly invited Luny on its ships during special occasions and trips.

After London he moved to Devon at Teignmouth where his success was hardly denied.
His Work is considerable, we know of more than 3000 achievements, including more than 2200 produced between 1807 and 1837, the year of his death, despite arthritis problems in both hands!

His works are exhibited in many museums, including the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter, the Mariners Museum in Newport in the United States, Boston ...