The fierce spirit of battle is captured with extraordinary drama and detail in this oil on canvas by accomplished marine painter John Steven Dews. The historic capture of USS Chesapeake was among the most intense battles of the War of 1812 between the United States and the British. The present work masterfully captures this legendary naval action; it is Dews' large-scale battle scenes such as this that are considered his very best works. With his incomparable eye for detail, he deftly portrays the drama and ferocity of the fight.

The capture of USS Chesapeake, also known as the Battle of Boston Harbor, took place on June 1, 1813, between the Royal Navy's frigate HMS Shannon and the American frigate USS Chesapeake. Though earlier in the war USS Chesapeake successfully captured five British merchant ships, she herself was captured after the short, yet intense battle in Boston's harbor. The ship and her crew were later taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the sailors were imprisoned; USS Chesapeake was repaired and taken into service by the Royal Navy as HMS Chesapeake.

In The Capture of USS Chesapeake, Dews is able to express the fury of the battle through a masterful composition that enhances the drama of the fight. The artist has gained critical acclaim for his incredible maritime scenes, consistently and masterfully depicting the majesty of ships on the open seas. Born in Yorkshire in 1949, Dews learned his trade at the Hull Regional College of Art after being turned down as a candidate at numerous naval academies. He turned to art to express his love for the sea, eventually building a sizable enough portfolio to mount his first exhibition in 1976. An astounding success, nearly the entire collection was sold on opening night, and Dews received 17 new commissions. Ever since his blockbuster opening, Dews has enjoyed remarkable success and critical acclaim, earning numerous prestigious commissions and awards to this day as one of Britain’s most sought-after living artists.

Canvas: 40" high x 66" wide
Frame: 47 1/2" high x 73 1/2" wide