The Battle of La Hogue

Benjamin West, 1738–1820

1778, retouched 1806

Oil on canvas

Yale Center for British Art

Benjamin West's painting depicts the burning of French ships by Admiral George Rooke in the Bay of La Hogue during the Battle of La Hogue. The Battle of La Hogue took place in 1692 after the French King Louis XIV attempted a Franco-Irish invasion to restore the exiled James II to the English throne. The invading fleet was met in the English Channel by a superior AngloDutch fleet and was annihilated. In this painting, Benjamin West depicts the final moments of the battle when Admiral George Rooke (at left, holding a sword) entered the Bay of La Hogue, where the enemy had retreated, and burned twelve French ships of the line. Yet, historical accuracy was not West’s paramount concern here: the French flagship Soleil Royal in the center background had actually been destroy