- More
LOT #72427
|
Sold for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Xanthus Smith (American, 1839-1929). . Sinking of the Alabama . Circa 1865-1870. Oil on canvas. Signed on reverse Xant...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
Xanthus Smith (American, 1839-1929)Sinking of the Alabama
Circa 1865-1870
Oil on canvas
Signed on reverse Xanthus Smith, Sinking of the Alabama
One of Xanthus Smith's most famous subjects was the sinking of the Confederate raider CSS Alabama by the Union ship USS Kearsarge on June 19, 1864 off the coast of Cherbourg, France. This dynamic and panoramic painting depicts the Alabama, at the right of the canvas as she is taking on water, with the Kearsarge on the left making sure she is done for, eventually standing by to take on survivors. Although Smith served in the Union Navy during the Civil War, he relied on first-hand published accounts in completing this picture including those of Confederate Captain Raphael Semmes and the captain of the Union vessel, John Winslow.
This monumental encounter is captured by Xanthus Smith in minute detail. His use of the small canvas in successfully achieving a lifelike image of the ships, the sea and the ferocious battle made him famous in his own time, much sought after for his Civil War naval scenes.
The CSS Alabama had been marauding Northern shipping for two years when it made its way to the relative safety of European waters for much-needed repairs. Always on the hunt for the rebel raider, the USS Kearsarge learned of the Alabama being docked at Cherbourg and gave chase, setting up at the port to await Alabama's exit. On June 19, 1864, escorted by a neutral French ironclad Couronne, the Alabama entered international waters where it engaged the Kearsarge. Although the Alabama's shells found their mark on several occasions, the superior gunnery of the Kearsarge and the deterioration of the Alabama's weaponry turned the tide of battle in favor of the Union ship, a point of battle depicted here by Smith.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping
Sales Tax information | Terms and Conditions
Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments
Glossary of Terms
Auction Info
Auction Dates
June, 2008
29th-30th
Sunday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,572
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.
Viewing at %
Please enter a value between % and 100% and press your "Enter" key. Close
Fit to screen
View Full Size
Brightness
Sold for:
Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Coming soon:
US Coins
Opens about 02/22/2019
Fine & Rare Wine
Opens about 02/25/2019
Musical Instruments
Opens about 02/25/2019
Entertainment
Opens about 02/25/2019
Fine Art
Opens about 02/25/2019
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/26/2019
Movie Posters
Opens about 03/01/2019
Historical
Opens about 03/11/2019
Photography
Opens about 03/15/2019
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/25/2019
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/25/2019
Heritage membership
VIEW BENEFITS
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
Consign now
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
You reach a customer base that is in many ways completely unknown to the major auction houses, and your marketing to this base is as professional as one could hope for. As I continue to wind down my holdings.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Recent auctions
2019 January 15 "Say it Loud" The John Silverstein Collection of African American Social History - Dallas
REALIZED $298,294