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Notes
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A depiction of an episode from the last major operation of the Seven Years War, 1756–1763. It was part of England's offensive against Spain when she entered the war in support of France late in 1761. The British Government's response was immediately to plan large offensive amphibious operations against Spanish overseas possessions, particularly Havana, the capital of the western dominions and Manila, the capital of the eastern. Havana needed large forces for its capture and early in 1762 ships and troops were dispatched under Admiral Sir George Pocock and General the Earl of Albemarle. The force which descended on Cuba consisted of 22 ships of the line, four 50-gun ships, three 40-guns, a dozen frigates and a dozen sloops and bomb vessels.
This is a view of the 'Piazza' of Havana under occupation, (a now unaccountable Italianization in the received title, since it should be 'Plaza' in Spanish) showing the buildings and emptied-out open space bathed in brilliant sunlight. The painting was one of a pair with 'The Cathedral at Havana, August–September 1762', BHC0417. For further details on the capture of Havana and the other paintings in this series, see BHC0408.The series in fact consists of two groups, six larger paintings with naval emphasis, and five smaller ones (including this) which focus more on the army and the town. Since they are all of Keppel family provenance, it is assumed that the naval ones were painted for Augustus Keppel, the naval second-in-command, and the others for his older brother George, Earl of Albemarle, the overall army commander.
Title
The Piazza at Havana
Date
c.1762
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 83.5 x W 122.3 cm
Accession number
BHC0418
Work type
Painting