Lot 41: FRANÇOIS-MARGUERITE-CHERI DUBREUIL 1828-ACTIVE 1859

signed

oil on canvas

114 by 208 cm., 45 by 82 in.

Mogador (also known as Essaouira for a time) in southern Morocco was founded by the Portuguese at the end of the 15th century. In the 18th century under the leadership of Sultan Sidi Muhammad ibn Abdallah the city was redesigned by the French architect Theodore Cornut as a fortified trading port. Its importance grew as, apart from Tangier, it was the only trading port open to European merchants.

France invaded Algeria in 1830 but almost immediately encountered a resistance movement led by Abd al-Kadir. The rebellion inflicted a series of defeats on the occupying French and enjoyed the support of a number of neighbouring countries including Morocco.

It was for this reason that a French fleet including Triton, Gemappes, Suffren, Triton and Belle Poule weighed anchor off Mogador on 15th August 1844. The Moors opened hostilities with a barrage of fire from the fortified battery. The response from the French was minimal until later in the day when a full scale bombardment was unleashed. Resistance from the battery soon ceased and a militia, formed of local tribes to defend the city, promptly sacked it. Amidst such chaos it is little wonder the French infantry took control three days later killing over five hundred tribesman while suffering less than thirty casualties themselves.