The Battle Of The Nile 1798

The Battle Of The Nile 1798 112cm x 84cm Oil on Belgian Linen by Ian Hansen

Napoleon Bonaparte’s French fleet were anchored in Aboukir Bay at the mouth of the Nile when attacked by Lord Nelson’s British fleet. It was a resounding victory for Nelson. The painting depicts from left to right, the British ship Orion (74 guns) the French ship Heureur (74 guns), Alexander (74 guns) firing at the French Flagship L’ Orient (120 guns) heavily on fire, the dismasted British ship Bellerophon (74 guns) is retiring from the line, behind her is the Swiftsure (74 guns) coming in to take her place and finish off the L’ Orient.

Born in South Australia in 1948, Ian’s childhood years were spent on the shores of Hervey Bay. It was here that his deep love of the sea and ships began. By the age of eight, he was actively painting with watercolour, moving to oils when he was eleven. His first oil work still hangs in his studio in Hunters Hill. Joining the Navy at fifteen, Ian served for twelve years continually painting the ships and scenes he observes on his travels. On leaving the navy Ian decided to paint full time and eventually settled in Sydney.

Married and with three children, Ian lives in Hunters Hill in a heritage house built in 1906 as a Doctors residence. Ian paints in his Studio gallery converted from the original stables. He enjoys taking to sea on his yacht “Karalee ” and has completed many ocean races. Sailing is still an important part of his life and it is from these trips that he draws his inspiration and great understanding of the sea.

In 2000 the Royal Australian Navy invited Ian to East Timor. He spent time on several of the ships painting scenes of the Navy’s involvement during the crisis. He joined Don and Margie McIntyre on a trip to Antarctica in 2002 aboard the “Sir Hubert Wilkins ” on 5 week voyage, where Ian sketched and painted the magnificent scenes of the Great Southern Continent. Ian is acknowledged throughout the world for his exacting historical correctness in his paintings and spends many hours researching ships and their places in history as well as significant occasions in history where ships of the line are involved.
Ian has won many awards. The first in 1961 and more recently he has taken out one of the world’s top awards for Marine Artists, the “Thomas Well Award” for his painting of the Tweed “declared” a flawless example of maritime art . 140 Marine artists were the Finalists from around the world in this most prestigious global award. This is an annual award held in Mystic, Connecticut, USA.