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231
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The first cannon shots of the American War of Independence!
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See original version (French)
231
-
The first cannon shots of the American War of Independence!
…
See original version (French)
Estimate €1,500 - €2,000
Voluntary lot
Description
The first cannon shots of the American War of Independence!
FRENCH school of the late 18th century.
The capture of Fort Cachacrou.
Oil on canvas.
Height : 101 cm. Width : 105,5 cm.
Located in the Caribbean Sea on the island of Dominica, Fort Cachacrou was built by the English in the 1760s to strengthen this strategic position between Martinique and Guadeloupe.
When Benjamin Franklin sought France's help in his fight for independence from the British crown, France saw it as a means of revenge for the Treaty of Paris of 1763, and a way of retaining influence over its former colonies, or even regaining possession of them.
It was against this backdrop that the Marquis de Bouillé, Governor General of the Windward Islands, received orders in August 1778 to seize Dominica as quickly as possible. On 6 September, he launched hostilities by landing 2,800 soldiers and auxiliaries from the expeditionary corps on the island to take control of Fort Cachacrou.
With the help of French colonists who had sabotaged the cannons and intoxicated the garrison, Bouillé toppled the fort in one hour without any casualties.
It is this event that is depicted here: the Englishman waves the white flag while a number of Royal ships are still bombarding. In the foreground, French soldiers wearing the Union Jack hoist the blue and white flag.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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