Battle of Manila Bay
May 1, 1898

Accession number:
1903.02

Maker:
Alfonso Sanz

Historical period:
1899

Miltary branch:

Wars and Conflicts:

Type:

Dimensions:
H x W: 39 in. / 79 in.

Acquisition date:
1903

Credit line:
Gift of George J. Seabury

Location:
, ,

Provenance:

From 1903: The Army and Navy Club, gift of George J. Seabury

Label:

The Battle of Manila Bay was the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War. Under Commodore George Dewey, the American Asiatic Squadron engaged and destroyed the Spanish Pacific Squadron. The battle was one of the most decisive naval battles in history. It marked the end of the Spanish colonial period in Philippine history and led directly to Senate confirmation of Dewey as Admiral of the Navy, the only person to achieve that rank. He joined The Army and Navy Club in 1900.

This painting, by a captured Spanish naval medical officer, is regarded as an accurate depiction of Dewey’s victory over the Spanish fleet. It was the first major clash between squadrons of mechanically-driven steel warships. Dewey’s flag ship USS Olympia leads the U.S. Battle line. The artist, Alfonso Sanz, was a member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Art.