Naval Battle; Anglo-American War of 1812 – Jos. De Wymmer
Naval Battle – Anglo-American War of 1812
Artist: Jos. De Wymmer (active 19th Century)
Date: 19th Century
Medium: Oil on canvas
Provenance: Templum Fine Art Auctions, Spain – 2025
Restoration: Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration, Chicago, IL
Framing: [To be updated]
A Rare Depiction of the War of 1812 at Sea
This dramatic maritime painting by Jos. De Wymmer captures a pivotal naval battle from the Anglo-American War of 1812, with American and British warships clashing amid violent seas and cannon fire. The U.S. Navy’s star-spangled banners wave defiantly above tall-masted vessels, while enemy ships return fire across the churning water. As cannon smoke thickens and lifeboats scatter, the composition evokes chaos, courage, and national identity.
The painting bears the artist’s signature, Jos. De Wymmer, in the lower right. While little biographical information is available, the theatrical lighting, turbulent sea, and historical focus suggest a painter influenced by the Romantic tradition of 19th-century history painting. His emphasis on movement and atmosphere aligns with artists who sought to commemorate national triumphs through expressive brushwork and heightened drama.
Restoration and Significance
Restoration in progress by Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration. The canvas offers more than a historical scene—it functions as a visual monument to American resilience and maritime heritage. As a result, it holds special appeal for collectors of early U.S. military history, naval art, or patriotic Americana.
For those intrigued by seafaring themes and 19th-century military portraiture, we invite you to also explore the Portrait of a Second Maître in the French Navy, a companion piece rooted in the same era of transatlantic conflict.