Capture of the Tripoli by the Enterprise
1806–12
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
45.1 × 65.1 cm (17 3/4 × 25 5/8 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
120163
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
At the turn of the 19th century, conflict arose between the United States of America and the North African Barbary State of Tripoli. President Thomas Jefferson refused to continue to pay tribute or ransom to Tripoli to prevent the pirating of American merchant ships sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. Jefferson dispatched the American ship Enterprise to the Tripolitan waters as a sign of resistance just as Tripoli increased its tribute demands and declared war against the United States. Thomas Bir...
About the Artist
Thomas Birch · 1779–1851
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