Pierre Celestin Bouchard - A View of Gibraltar and the African coast, ca. 1815 - with some persons and boats in the foreground – signed and inscribed in French "Vu de la cote orientale de l`Espagne et demi de distance, cote d`Afrique" - Watercolor and ink on paper - 43 x 55 cm (17 by 21 1/2 inch)

Note: We have so far no information about the artist, maybe he visited the location on board of a vessel which stopped at Gibraltar and just made this picture for his home or family. The cutout pinwheels and the decorative motif at top are later additions. Click here or on the image to enlarge the picture.

Vilhelm Melbye - Romantic Coastal Scene with Fishing and other Boats off Gibraltar (Spain) 1854, with some figures shown in the foreground, signed "Wilhelm Melby" and dated, 69 x 110 cm, the possession of a Private Collection in Sweden

Note: This is a typical example of an earlier work by Vilhelm Melbye which includes nice topographical details and shows a romantic Southern Coastal Scene. Click here or on the image to see larger illustrations. Photo Copyright is with the Fine Art Emporium.

Spanish Artist FR - An Algerian Pirate Lugger is chased off Gibraltar, ca. 1880 - the three-masted Corsair Vessel is trying to escape from the British Naval Ship in the left background (which fires out of two cannons), on the right the Rock of Gibraltar - Oil on canvas, 66 by 94 cm (26 by 37 in), with frame 88 x 115 cm (34 5/8 by 45 in) - signed l.r. with monogram "FR" and anchor sign - cleaned, restored and in good condition, bright color, clearly visibel age craquelure throughout, in the (original) heavy mahogony frame - Private Collection Fenland, UK - Click here or on the image to see larger illustrations

Note: Many Pirates in Algier and Northern Africa were captured by American and European forces during the attacks in the 1830s (eg. USS Constitution was originally built for this purpose). Anyway and - according to reports from British Naval Officers - several Pirates / Corsairs were still active in the remaining part of the 19th Century and as late as until 1900. The Straits of Gibraltar at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea was a preferred place where they were seeking merchant ships from Europe and America to enter and capture ship and crew. British Naval Ships from Gibraltar were on duty to chase the Pirates.