This painting by William John Huggins depicts the first naval battle of the War of 1812, with several warships seen sailing on the horizon. The watercolor depicts the first naval action that broke out between the United States and Britain when the HMS Belvidera encountered the frigates USS President and USS United States and the sloops Hornet and Argos on June 23, 1812. The USS Congress, which was also present at the engagement, is not pictured. The British were not aware war had been declared when the American ships fired upon them. The Belvidera was able to evade and escape the confrontation. This same event is captured in a different painting in the White House Collection by James Stilwell. Huggins was a British artist well-known for his marine landscapes featuring ships.
This painting by William John Huggins depicts the first naval battle of the War of 1812, with several warships seen sailing on the horizon. The watercolor depicts the first naval action that broke out between the United States and Britain when the HMS Belvidera encountered the frigates USS President and USS United States and the sloops Hornet and Argos on June 23, 1812. The USS Congress, which was also present at the engagement, is not pictured. The British were not aware war had been declared when the American ships fired upon them. The Belvidera was able to evade and escape the confrontation. This same event is captured in a different painting in the White House Collection by James Stilwell. Huggins was a British artist well-known for his marine landscapes featuring ships.
