Study for HMS 'Aurora's' 6-inch gun in action at the Battle of the Dogger Bank, 24 January 1915 RMG PW1849, William Lionel Wyllie, probably 1915

Study for hms 'aurora's' 6-inch gun in action at the battle of the dogger bank, 24 january 1915 inscribed 'aurora's 6 inch gun in action / dogger bank', and signed by the artist, lower right. It also bears technical notes on colour ('men in blue' for the gun crew) and for minor corrections, and the time '7 am' at top right. It is, almost needles to say, not a drawing done at the battle of the dogger bank - at which wyllie was not present - but probably of a practice drill, since the finished version to which it relates (paf1840) bears his note that it was drawn 'from nature', this being the preliminary study. The 'aurora' briefly engaged the german light cruiser 'kolberg' (1908) of the 2nd scouting group in the early morning of 24 january 1915 and started the action that became known as the battle of dogger bank. The 7 a. M. Time noted at top right probably refers to that brief clash. Date: probably 1915. Dimensions: Sheet: 318 x 456 mm. Collection: Fine art.