(Constantinople 1815-1898 Trieste) Naval Battle of Lissa on 20 July 1866, signed Ivanovich (signature partly overwritten), oil on canvas, 70.2 x 107 cm, framed, (frame damaged) (W)

During the Third Italian War of Independence, Italy prepared for the naval battle of Lissa under the command of Admiral Persano to reconquer the Venetian territories from the Austrian empire. Hearing that Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff had already set out to sea, during his preparations Persano abandoned his initial plans and reordered his fleet, grouping it into the traditional arrangement of three divisions. Tegetthoff also arranged the Austrian fleet into three divisions, but with each in an arrow formation, enabling ships sailing under an Austrian flag to pass through the Italian formation wherever possible.

Although the Italian fleet was much larger, Tegetthof’s strategy allowed him to dominate the battle. The scene shown here depicts the battle at its zenith. To the left we see the sinking Re d‘ Italia, having been rammed by the Ferdinand Max, and in the centre foreground sails the Affondatore, distinguishable by its two funnels, badly damaging and clearly sinking. Equally recognisable is the three-decker Kaiser under the command of Admiral von Petz, also severely stricken after being attacked by the armoured ship Re di Portogallo which can be seen to its port side.

In the middle background of the painting we see an armed merchant vessel bringing up the rear. Tegetthof’s preparations for this battle, paired with his brilliant command while opposing a hugely superior, yet confused, Italian fleet, resulted in a historic victory for the Austrians. Admiral Tegetthof was hailed as the hero of the battle and subsequently appointed commander of the Austrian Navy.