American School, Early 20th Century

Portrait of Admiral Farragut

Oil on canvas

No visible signature

22 in. x 27 in.

"Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!"

A bust view portrait of David Glasgow Farragut, painted in Early American School style. His later years are documented by the creases around his eyes and graying hair, but the mischievous expression upon his face documents his famously boisterous reputation.

Admiral David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870) is best known for his prominent career in naval service, particularly under service of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Relied heavily upon by President Lincoln, who never replaced him, Farragut was appointed the first vice admiral and then later as full first admiral in U.S. Navy history, a position which had been created expressly for Farragut. 

Perhaps his most famous victory is the 5 August 1864 capture of Mobile Bay, which was the last major Confederate port on the Gulf of Mexico. Farragut's determination has been memorialized in the retelling of the battle, from where Farragut allegedly bound himself to the rigging of the USS Hartford's flagship, commanding to his men "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” His success in this battle would become one of the Union force's signature victories throughout the war, and would bolster Lincoln's reputation during the 1864 election. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera][Navy, Naval History, Brown Water Navy, David Glasgow Farragut, David Dixon Porter, Battle of Mobile Bay, Battle of New Orleans, Blockade, Confederate Blockade][Civil War, Union, Confederate]