William Lionel Wyllie, Original signed etching, The Destroyer Attack at The Battle of Jutland: "Champion" and the Thirteenth Flotilla Ahead of the Battle Cruisers"

*William Lionel Wyllie, Original signed etching, The Destroyer Attack at The Battle of Jutland: "Champion" and the Thirteenth Flotilla Ahead of the Battle Cruisers"*

The Destroyer Attack at The Battle of Jutland. A lovely quality signed etching by the noted Portsmouth maritime artist William Lionel Wyllie RA (1851–1931). The piece is signed in pencil by the artist to the bottom left hand corner just below the image. Etching on paper, 17x42cm, mounted, framed 37x63cm and acryllic glazed.

The Battle of Jutland between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet off the western coast of Denmark on May 31 1916 remains one of the most potent battles in the history of naval warfare. A total of 279 ships were engaged in the vicious a clash of men and warships, with both sides suffering heavy losses in ships and men. When the guns finally fell silent in the early hours of June 1 over 8,500 people had lost their lives. This etchimg shows HMS 'Champion', leading the destroyers and battlecruisers at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, about 16.05. This etching was reproduced as a black-and-white half-tone illustration in Wyllie's co-authored book 'More Sea Fights of the Great War' (1919), as the third image illustrating the Battle of Jutland, with the caption "Champion" and the Thirteenth Flotilla ahead of the Battle Cruisers". It shows the light cruiser 'Champion' leading the 13th Destroyer Flotilla ahead of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron at about 16.05. The German battlecruisers were at this time between 15,000 and 21,000 yards away to port. The two ships under fire on the left are the battlecruisers 'Lion' and astern of her the 'Princess Royal'.

William Lionel Wyllie RA (5 July 1851 – 6 April 1931) was a prolific English painter of maritime themes. He has been described as ‘The most distinguished marine artist of his day’. His work is in the Tate, the Royal Academy, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum and many other institutions around the world.

*Condition*
The piece is in a great condition with no damage. The mount and frame are in sound condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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