Nicholas Pocock British, 1740-1821 The Glorious First of June Ink, gray wash and watercolor on paper 6 3/4 x 9 7/8 inches (17.2 x 25.1 cm) Provenance: Rafael Vals, London Exhibited: London, Cadogan Gallery, "Exhibition of Decorative Paintings, Drawings and Watercolours," Nov. 17 - Dec. 20, 1981 "The Glorious First of June" was a battle fought on that date in 1794, the first in the naval war between Great Britain and the French Republic in the aftermath of the French Revolution. The immediate British objective was to stop a French grain convoy from the United States from delivering its vital cargo to France. Officers on both sides made a number of tactical errors, with the result that both fleets were so badly damaged that at day's end they were unable to continue combat. Fortunately for the French, the grain convoy managed to reach port safely. Both sides declared victory and the press in both countries hailed the skill and gallantry of their respective naval forces. C An Upper East Side Private Collection