The battle of Camperdown, off the Dutch coast, on 11 October 1797, was an early naval encounter in the war with revolutionary France. A British fleet defeated the Dutch, who were then allied with the French.Loutherbourg’s picture shows the decisive moment of the battle. The flagship Venerable fires its last broadside at the Vryhied, whose Dutch commander is seen striking his flag. Loutherbourg was more concerned with dramatic effect than documentation. His picture was said to express ‘the horror and devastation attendant upon a conflict disputed with such obstinate bravery’.