(French, 19th century)

The Burning of the East Indiaman Kent, gouache on paper, inscribed "L'Incendie du Kent/d'apres Guidin" on label verso, circa 1830, sight 24 x 32-1/2 in.; black painted frame, 31-7/8 x 40-1/2 x 3/4 in.

Provenance: Christie's Maritime Sale, London, 9 May 1996 (lot 435); Welles Henderson Collection until 2008; private collection to present

Note: The saving of the passengers aboard the burning East Indiaman Kent was one of the most dramatic sea rescues recorded during the entire Age of Sail. The Kent was built in 1820 and was chartered to transport the 31st Regiment of Foot and its dependents for service in the East in 1825. Leaving the port on 19 February of that year, the Kent made good progress until March 1st, when a severe gale in the Bay of Biscay accidentally overturned a lit lamp in the main hold and set spirits stored there ablaze. As the fire spread, there seemed but little hope of escape until as if by a miracle, the brig Cambria came into view, sailing Vera Cruz with 36 Cornish tin miners. The miners, soldiers and crews of both ships were able to save the vast majority of those aboard, and a ship named the Caroline rescued an additional 14 clinging to the wreck the next day. 81 people lost their lives, more than half of whom were soldiers. The Cambria, crammed with 553 survivors (including 48 women and 52 children, one of whom was born aboard the Cambria on the night of the sinking) returned to England, where it was received to great celebration and the rescuers were awarded medals for their valor. The nature of the rescue inspired a number of artists, including Theodore Gudin, to depict the event in their work.