Painting Naval Battle Old Ironsides USS Constitution Vs HMS Cyane & HMS Levant

A dramatic early 19th century naval battle masterpiece painting War of 1812 marine battle scene centered on USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), shown in close action with HMS Cyane and HMS Levant. Oil on canvas, English School, circa 1830, executed in the manner of Thomas Buttersworth. Relined, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. Provenance from a private Oxfordshire marine collection and auction records. Ideal for collectors of maritime art and Americana.
Subject & medium
Oil on canvas (relined), English School, circa 1830. Executed in the manner of Thomas Buttersworth (1768–1842). The work depicts a richly atmospheric naval engagement—Constitution in close action with two British frigates—rendered as a romanticised yet convincing battle piece typical of early 19th-century marine painting.
Composition & technique
The composition is staged for narrative clarity and dramatic effect. Hulls, masts and rigging are arranged to present readable silhouettes amid layered gun smoke and breaking light. The sea is actively modelled—wind-driven and rolling—to amplify the encounter’s force and momentum. Smoke is used as mid-distance veil, partially obscuring forms and reinforcing the visual reality of close-quarters combat where visibility and identification were compromised. The handling of light emphasises contrasts between storm-grey passages and brighter breaks that define sails, flags and hull structure. The overall effect conveys the sensory experience of naval action—speed, confusion and spectacle—within the romantic marine idiom.
About the action depicted
On 20 February 1815 USS Constitution engaged and captured HMS Cyane and HMS Levant, an episode that consolidated Constitution’s reputation as one of the era’s most formidable frigates. The painting does not purport to be a photographic record; instead it distils the essential character of the engagement—press of sail, close-quarters gunnery and the characteristic atmosphere of battle.
Historical significance
Constitution occupies a distinctive place in U.S. naval history as both a successful fighting ship and a symbol of early American maritime identity. The capture of Cyane and Levant reinforced national prestige at the close of the conflict and became a favoured subject for commemorative image-making. Works like this appealed to collectors, naval enthusiasts and institutions seeking to articulate patriotic and maritime narratives through picture collecting.
About the artist
Offered in the manner of Thomas Buttersworth (1768–1842), a prominent British marine painter known for ship portraiture and naval battle pictures. Characteristic features associated with Buttersworth and his circle—legible silhouettes, an active heaving sea, structured sky planes and the staging of engagements for instant readability—are evident in this work. Paintings in this manner were produced for collectors seeking drama, authority and romance in maritime subjects.
Signature
Unsigned, a common condition for English School marine pictures of this period and consistent with works produced for the decorative and collector market.
Dimensions
Canvas (approx.): 59 × 49 cm
Framed: 74 × 64 cm (W × H)
Frame depth: 4.5 cm
(Measurements are approximate and given to the nearest practical centimetre.)
Frame
Presented in a substantial ornate giltwood frame of classical profile with foliate ornament and an inner beaded slip. The frame suits the painting’s period character and provides substantial wall presence.
Provenance
From a private Oxfordshire marine collection (per consignor). The painting retains a Right Angle Gallery, Brackley historic framing label and passed through auction with JS Fine Art Auctioneers. Curated and offered by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD (Fine Art Trade Guild member). Exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, January 2026.
Condition
Overall in good antique condition consistent with age. The canvas has been relined; the paint surface is stable with expected historical craquelure and patina. Minor historical overpainting is present to part of a sail and a small area of the lower sea; these restorations are limited and do not materially detract from overall presentation or impact. The gilt frame shows handling wear consistent with age. Photographs form part of the description; close inspection is recommended.
Why this work appeals
Desirable War of 1812 subject with strong Americana appeal.
Features USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), among the most iconic ships in U.S. naval history.
Strong early-19th-century marine aesthetic blending drama, movement and technical clarity.
Executed in the manner of Thomas Buttersworth, attractive to collectors of British marine painting.
Practical, display-friendly scale with authoritative wall presence.
Documented provenance and exhibition history support collector confidence.
Shipping & sale
Worldwide shipping available; professionally packed and fully insured for global delivery. Available through Decorative Collective / Cheshire Antiques Consultant. Click “Buy It Now” to purchase or contact us for condition photos, additional provenance documentation, or to arrange viewing.

USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, War of 1812 painting, Thomas Buttersworth style, English School marine painting, early 19th century oil on canvas, maritime art, naval battle painting, American naval history, maritime collectors, decorativecollective, Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTS.