This summer, Sotheby’s will present for sale some of the earliest views of Havana, Cuba. Painted by Dominic Serres between 1770 and 1775, the four spectacular pictures depict specific stages of the British siege and capture of the Havana in 1762. There were made either for General George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle (1724-1772) or for his brother, Admiral Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel (1725-1786), both of whom played a decisive role in the British victory. Unseen on the market for almost 250 years, the works boast exceptional provenance, having remained in the possession of the Keppel family ever since they were painted.

Talking about the sale of the painting, Julian Gascoigne, Specialist, British Paintings at Sotheby’s, commented: “These four views are not only of great historical significance, they are also remarkable works of art and some of the greatest British marine pictures ever painted, demonstrating the influence on Serres’ work of both Canaletto and Vernet - two masters of 18th century Europe.”

Brochure - THE ALBEMARLE HAVANA VIEWS