All About The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar by John Trumbull

Title of Artwork: “The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar”

Artwork by John Trumbull

Year Created 1789

Summary of The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar

Artwork by American artist John Trumbull, titled The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar, 1789 (also known as The Sortie made by the Garrisons of Gibraltar on November 27, 1781), is the subject of the painting. During the Great Siege of Gibraltar, which took place in November of 1781, the Spanish occupied Gibraltar in an attempt to retake the territory from the British. As Don Jose de Barboza lies dying, he is receiving the utmost respect. Even though he was left behind by his own troops, he still attempted to attack the British with chivalry, despite the fact that he was outnumbered.

All About The Sortie Made by the Garrison of Gibraltar

The attack depicted in the painting took place on November 27, 1781, in Gibraltar. during the American Revolutionary War, Spain and France attempted to capture Gibraltar from the British by launching the Great Siege.

The night of November 26, 1781, when British troops launched a surprise attack (sortie) against the enemy batteries, is depicted in the painting. The painting’s central theme is the death of Spanish officer Don Jose de Barboza. After being abandoned by his troops, he died of his wounds while refusing help. General George Elliott, the British army’s commander, portrays him as turning down his assistance.

Antonio de Poggi, a London-based artist and dealer who had been in the besieged garrison, told Trumbull about an earlier incident that had taken place in November 1781. As he put it, “…the Heroism of the vanquished, the Humanity… the darkness of night illuminating an extensive conflagration, the Hurry and Tumult of the troops busy in the work of destruction,… the quiet & calm of the Officers, the leading Spirits of the Scene.”

With numerous sketches and three large canvases completed, Trumbull worked tirelessly on the composition. Trumbull’s hopes for this project to be his big break to major patronage grew as the project progressed. Instead of accepting high-dollar offers, he decided to hold a private exhibition of the work for a fee.

According to the 4th Earl of Orford Horace Walpole: “the finest picture ever seen painted on the northern side of Alps.”

Information Citations

En.wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/.

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