The frigate "Freia" engaging an English squadron in the Channel, T.E. Lønning, between 1800 and 1823

The painting shows an engagement fought in the early evening of july 25, 1800. The frigate freia was escorting a convoy of seven danish merchantment on their way to the mediterranean, when they were met by an english squadron of three frigates, a corvette and a brig, led by captain sir thomas baker on the nemesis. He demanded an inspection of the merchanment, but as denmark was neutral at the time, the danish commander peter krabbe protested, and when baker started the inspection, krabbe opened fire. The freia could not match the superior english force and had to strike its colours. Then the diplomats went to work, and the freia was repaired and released by england and the convoy proceeded to the mediterranean. Lønning made at least one more painting of the incident. Source: o. Eidem & o. Lütken, vor sømagts historie, en populærhistorisk fremstilling paa grundlag af j. C. Tuxens den dansk-norske sømagts historie, 1906, page 624-626 (in danish). Object Type: painting. Date: between 1800 and 1823. Dimensions: height: 51 cm (20 in); width: 63 cm (24.8 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Unknown. Terkild Emanuel Lønning - Fregatten "Freia's" kamp i Kanalen med den engelske flåde, 1800