USS Constitution Captures HMS Cyane & HMS Levant, War of 1812 — in the manner of Thomas Buttersworth
English School, circa 1830
Old Ironsides: A War of 1812 Naval Engagement
Oil on Canvas | Traditionally Identified as USS Constitution with HMS Cyane and HMS Levant
Highlights
• Romantic early-19th-century naval battle painting.
• Traditionally linked with USS Constitution’s final War of 1812 engagement.
• Three warships shown amid gun smoke, strong wind and rolling seas.
• Catalogued as English School, circa 1830.
• Stylistically related to the marine paintings of Thomas Buttersworth.
• Relined canvas with historic restoration.
• Substantial giltwood frame with foliate and beaded decoration.
• Historic Right Angle Gallery label retained on the reverse.
• Provenance from a private Oxfordshire marine collection, as supplied.
• Sold through JS Fine Art Auctioneers according to the recorded history.
• Privately exhibited during January 2026.
Introduction
Warships exchange fire amid smoke, spray and turbulent water in this imposing early-19th-century marine battle painting.
The scene has traditionally been identified with USS Constitution’s engagement against HMS Cyane and HMS Levant on 20 February 1815—an action in which the celebrated American frigate captured both British vessels.
Painted by an unidentified English School artist around 1830, the composition belongs to the Romantic naval tradition associated with Thomas Buttersworth. Its carefully organised ships, dramatic sky and energetic sea create an immediate impression of danger and movement.
Because the painting is unsigned and does not bear a known inscription naming the ships or battle, the historical title remains a considered interpretation rather than a guaranteed identification.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Unidentified
School: English School
Approximate date: Circa 1830
Medium: Oil on canvas
Structural history: Canvas relined
Subject: Three-ship naval engagement
Proposed event: USS Constitution’s action with HMS Cyane and HMS Levant
Date of proposed battle: 20 February 1815
Location of historical action: Atlantic Ocean, east of Madeira
Conflict: War of 1812
Stylistic description: In the manner of Thomas Buttersworth
Signature: None visible
Current frame: Ornate giltwood moulding with foliate decoration and beaded inner slip
Catalogue Note
The artist places the viewer close to the encounter, allowing the principal hulls, sails and rigging to remain legible despite the surrounding disorder.
Masts and yards rake diagonally across the sky, creating a strong geometric framework. The central ship receives the greatest visual emphasis and has consequently been identified traditionally as USS Constitution.
Two further vessels complete the arrangement and support the proposed connection with Cyane and Levant. Their positions should not, however, be treated as a precise reconstruction of the historical manoeuvres.
Smoke drifts through the middle distance and partially conceals the ships. Beyond its dramatic function, this reflects a genuine feature of naval combat in the age of sail, when repeated broadsides could rapidly obscure visibility.
The sea is built through rolling, directional strokes that communicate wind and momentum. Lighter paint across the wave crests suggests broken reflections and airborne spray.
Controlled areas of illumination pick out sail planes, flags and sections of hull against the darker cloud and smoke. The resulting contrast gives the action theatrical clarity while preserving an atmospheric sense of uncertainty.
The painting captures the perceived experience of battle rather than providing a literal technical diagram. Its appeal lies in the balance of maritime observation, historical association and Romantic spectacle.
The Action Of 20 February 1815
Captain Charles Stewart commanded USS Constitution when the American frigate encountered HMS Cyane and HMS Levant east of Madeira.
The Treaty of Ghent had been signed on 24 December 1814, and the United States ratified it on 17 February 1815. News travelled slowly, however, and none of the three ships knew that hostilities had officially ended.
The British vessels prepared to fight together, forming a line as Constitution approached. Cyane was a light frigate, while Levant was a smaller sloop-of-war or corvette.
Although Constitution faced two opponents, she was larger, more heavily armed and capable of delivering a substantially more powerful broadside. Captain Stewart manoeuvred effectively to prevent the British vessels from combining their fire to full advantage.
The action continued into darkness. Cyane surrendered first, followed later by Levant.
Cyane ultimately reached the United States as a prize. Levant was recaptured by a British squadron on 11 March 1815 after the three ships were pursued into the vicinity of Porto Praya.
The encounter became the final combat action of Constitution’s career.
Old Ironsides
USS Constitution was launched in Boston in 1797 as one of six original frigates constructed for the United States Navy.
Designed for strength, speed and heavy armament, she proved exceptionally successful during the War of 1812. Her victories helped establish international credibility for the comparatively young American naval service.
The nickname “Old Ironsides” arose during the 1812 battle against HMS Guerriere, when British gunfire appeared unable to penetrate Constitution’s heavy oak construction.
The frigate later defeated HMS Java before concluding her combat career with the capture of Cyane and Levant.
Constitution survives today as the world’s oldest commissioned naval warship afloat, giving imagery associated with her continuing historical and cultural significance.
Thomas Buttersworth And British Marine Painting
Thomas Buttersworth (1768–1842) was a leading British painter of ships, naval battles and maritime events.
He produced memorable interpretations of Trafalgar and numerous other naval subjects, combining detailed ship observation with dramatic weather and carefully organised storytelling.
Works by Buttersworth are held in British public collections, including the National Maritime Museum, the British Library and several regional museums.
The present painting displays qualities associated with his wider influence: clearly presented ships, a strongly animated sea, layered atmospheric effects and a composition designed to make the action immediately understandable.
It remains unsigned, and no documentary link with Buttersworth has been established. The description “in the manner of Thomas Buttersworth” is therefore stylistic and does not constitute an attribution to the artist or his workshop.
Provenance And Exhibition History
Private marine collection, Oxfordshire, according to the consignor
Historic framing label for Right Angle Gallery, Brackley
Subsequently sold through JS Fine Art Auctioneers, according to supplied provenance
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Privately exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, January 2026
The recorded provenance should be considered in conjunction with the surviving gallery label and any available auction or purchase documentation.
Dimensions
Canvas: approximately 59 cm wide × 49 cm high
Overall framed size: approximately 74 cm wide × 64 cm high
Frame depth: approximately 4.5 cm
All measurements are approximate.
Framing
Housed in a substantial classical giltwood frame with foliate ornamentation.
A beaded inner slip provides additional definition around the painted image. The frame’s scale and gilded finish give the work considerable presence and complement its historic naval subject.
Age-related rubbing, handling marks and finish wear are present, but the frame remains structurally serviceable and decorative.
Condition Report
Good overall antique condition consistent with the painting’s proposed age and restoration history.
The canvas has been relined and currently appears structurally stable. The visible paint layer appears secure under ordinary display conditions.
Historic craquelure and general surface patina are present throughout.
Limited overpainting has been identified on part of a sail belonging to the third vessel and within a small section of the lower sea. These interventions are localised and do not materially disrupt the overall composition.
The decorative frame displays expected age-related wear, rubbing and marks.
No ultraviolet examination or scientific analysis has been undertaken during the present cataloguing. Buyers should examine all supplied photographs, which form part of the condition report.
Shipping
Professional worldwide shipping is available.
The painting will be carefully packaged and fully insured throughout transit. Local collection can also be arranged by appointment.
Please contact us for further photographs, condition details or a delivery quotation.
Attribution And Research Notice
The proposed date, English School attribution, identification of the ships and battle, stylistic comparison with Thomas Buttersworth and provenance interpretation constitute the professional, non-guaranteed opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. The catalogue has been prepared in good faith using visual examination, information supplied with the painting, comparative artworks, museum references, published naval history and professional experience within the international fine art market.
The painting carries no recorded title or inscription identifying the three vessels. Its association with USS Constitution, HMS Cyane and HMS Levant is consequently presented as a plausible traditional identification, not a definitive historical fact. No authorship by Thomas Buttersworth or connection with his studio is claimed. Further documentary research, technical examination or specialist conservation analysis may alter or develop the current catalogue assessment.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art. Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.
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