View of brest harbourthis vignette was published in the first issue of the 'naval chronicle' in 1799 (effectively plate iv, though they were only numbered from plate v on) between pp. 144 and 145, which comprise a long accompanying description of brest, the main french atlantic naval base. The image is described on p. 144 as showing the outer harbour (the goulet) taken 'from a sketch by mr francis mason on board the impetueux [a british frigate] in 1797', with a small frigate (presumably british) standing in and out under topsails and a 'chasse-maree', which is on the right. This is a french fishing lugger, but during the french wars they were also – as apparently the case here – heavily manned and used as effective coastal privateers against poorly protected british shipping which strayed within their range. The technique includes roulette work and a pocock drawing in the collection (pad8825) is possibly a variant preliminary sketch. Date: 1 February 1799. Dimensions: Mount: 136 mm x 226 mm. Collection: Fine art.
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