Charles Dixon (1872-1934), Admiral Beatty’s Flagship HMS Lion leading the Battlecruiser Fleet into action at the Battle of Jutland 31st May, 1916, with a Dreadnought battleship behind, signed and dated, oil on canvas, 72 cm x 97 cm, in a later giltwood frame, frame 84.5 cm x 110 cm

HMS Lion was the flagship of the British Battlecruiser Fleet during the battle of Jutland, under the command of Vice-Admiral David Beatty. The Fleet was the first to sight Admiral Franz von Hipper's battlecruisers and opened fire. Two British battlecruisers in the Fleet sank in the first hour of the battle and HMS Lion was severely damaged. One of the ship's turrets was hit by enemy fire, and had it not been for the quick wits of Major Francis Harvey of the Royal Marines the ship would inevitably suffer the same fate. Fatally wounded, Major Harvey ordered the flooding of the turret's magazine to prevent further explosions. For his actions, he was awarded posthumously the Victoria Cross. HMS Lion returned to port after the battle needing repairs that took several months. She had suffered 99 dead and 51 wounded during the battle, the highest number in the Fleet for a surviving vessel.

Private Collection

Condition Report

Overpainted areas to the top and bottom, where there are signs of previous framing. Overpainting evident to the smoke trail above the Dreadnought and signs of a repair in the same area among the fire plumes. Signs of later overpainting to the smaller vessel in the foreground far right. Reverse of canvas in good condition with the stretchers recently tightened with nylon wire. Recently reframed by John Jones and glazed with UV reflecting and low reflective acrylic.