AFTER JAMES JEFFREYS (ENGLAND, 1751-1784) GIBRALTAR

Published as the Act directs, October 7th, 1789 by J Emes & E. Woodlett, London & by W. Jeffreys, Maidstone, Kent. Painted by James Jeffreys/Engraved by John Emes. Depicting the "Grand Assault" of The Great Siege of Gibraltar which was an unsuccessful attempt by France and Spain to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American Revolution. The climactic battle called "The Grand Assault" on 13 September, 1782 pitted newly designed Spanish battering ships against the English defenders. This action involved huge numbers—60,000 men, 49 ships and ten of the newly invented floating batteries—against the 5,000 defenders. The assault was a disastrous failure, resulting in heavy losses for the Bourbon allies. This print captures the hours after the battle with a battering ship up in smoke and the defeated Spanish and French soldiers clinging to the remnants of their ships. Hand colored. Not examined out of frame. Artist: AFTER JAMES JEFFREYS (ENGLAND, 1751-1784) Condition: Good Created: Circa 1784 Frame: Modern frame Medium: Engraving Title: GIBRALTAR, SEPTEMBER 14, 1782 Work Size: 20" x 28.5" Condition: Dimensions: Frame: 24" x 32 - 1/2".