Untitled (Galleons at War)

Unknown Artist

Oil on canvas

23.75 x 29.75 in.

Mori and Jacobson Collection

Though we do not know the name of the painter of this picture, it does carry a title that identifies it as a battle conducted by galleons. Galleons are large ships of multiple masts (usually 3 or 4) from the 16th to the 19th centuries, used mainly as war vessels. They are especially associated with Spain which, in addition to their role in warfare, also used galleons to transport gold and other goods from the Americas. It is not clear if the artist is portraying a battle between warring maritime nations such as Spain and England or an attack from a pirate ship upon a treasure-bearing vessel.

In the past, the flying of flags and pennants was an important form of communication among sailors who used them for several purposes, including warnings of bad weather (certainly in evidence here) and to signal their intentions. Red pennants usually referred to storms and rough seas while black flags were a more serious distress signal, indicating the demand for surrender or the imminent boarding from an enemy, often a pirate ship. The ship on the right has endured the most damage, as the broken masts and collapsing sails suggest. The dense clouds, along with the thick smoke from the guns, combine to present a dire situation of life and death on the high seas.

This painting was conserved by Sara Jo Boesen at SJ Fine Art Conservation in 2025 with funds provided by the Community Betterment Grant from Prairie Meadows.