Privateers Collection

Merchant ship attacked by pirates, 15th century. Artist: Anonymous
Merchant ship attacked by pirates, 15th century

The privateers Prince Frederick and Duke taking the Marques D'Antin and Louis Erasme (line engraving)
1579714 The privateers Prince Frederick and Duke taking the Marques D'Antin and Louis Erasme (line engraving); (add.info)

The Attack of Two Lanoon Pirate Proas on the Proa Jolly Bachelor, 19th century (oil on canvas)
3870763 The Attack of Two Lanoon Pirate Proas on the Proa Jolly Bachelor, 19th century (oil on canvas); (add.info.: Belonging to Rajah Brooks of Sarawack)

Portrait of the Pirate Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, 1736. Creator: Basire, James (1730-1802)
Portrait of the Pirate Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, 1736. Private Collection

Pirates of the Caribbean: Ann Bonny and Mary Read convicted of Piracy, November 28th, 1720... 1724. Creator: Cole, B
Pirates of the Caribbean: Ann Bonny and Mary Read convicted of Piracy, November 28th, 1720 at a Court of Vice Admiralty, 1724. Private Collection

Pirates of the Caribbean, 1800s. Creator: Bonatti, D.K. (active 1720-1780)
Pirates of the Caribbean, 1800s. Private Collection

The part of the Bahama banks, from The West-India atlas, 1771. Creator: Jefferys, Thomas (ca. 1719-1771)
The part of the Bahama banks, from The West-India atlas, 1771. Private Collection

Map of the island of New Providence one of the Bahamas Islands in the West Indies, Mid 18th cen
Map of the island of New Providence one of the Bahamas Islands in the West Indies, Mid of the 18th. Private Collection

Illustration for "Treasure Island" by Robert Stevenson, 1911. Creator: Wyeth, N. C
Illustration for "Treasure Island" by Robert Stevenson, 1911. Found in the collection of the Brandywine River Museum of Art

So the Treasure Was Divided. From "The Fate of a Treasure Town", 1905. Creator: Pyle, Howard (1853-1911)
So the Treasure Was Divided. From "The Fate of a Treasure Town", 1905. Found in the collection of the Harper's Monthly Magazine

Pirate's Isle, 1826. Creator: Cox, David (1783-1859)
Pirate's Isle, 1826. Found in the collection of the Yale Center for British Art

Mary Read - English female pirate, 18th century (engraving)
3784080 Mary Read - English female pirate, 18th century (engraving) by Wentworth, F. (18th century); (add.info.: Mary Read - English female pirate holding sword)

Mary Read - English female pirate (engraving)
3784190 Mary Read - English female pirate (engraving) by Wentworth, F. (18th century); (add.info.: Mary Read - English female pirate holding sword. Convicted of piracy during Golden Age of Piracy)

Mrs Ching widow of pirate Adminiral Ching
3784207 Mrs Ching widow of pirate Adminiral Ching by Unknown Artist, (19th century); (add.info.: Mrs Ching wielding a sword c.1810)

An attack by Indians, La Herradura published in 1930 (engraving)
3780164 An attack by Indians, La Herradura published in 1930 (engraving) by Bry, Theodor de (1528-98); (add.info.: The Spanish and Indians attack Sir Francis Drakes men in the Bay of La Herradura)

Two pirates hanging, 1831 (drawing)
3784085 Two pirates hanging, 1831 (drawing); (add.info.: Drawing from The confession of the Pirate Charles Gibbs'. New York, 1831. In Gosse History of Piracy 1932 Longmans Green p)

Galleass, 1629 (engraving)
3784099 Galleass, 1629 (engraving); (add.info.: Ship used by pirates in 17th century. Both a sailing ship and rowing boat. From Furttenbach, Architectura Navalis, 1629)

Mrs Ching wielding a sword, c. 1810 (engraving)
3784084 Mrs Ching wielding a sword, c.1810 (engraving); (add.info.: Widow of pirate Admiral Ching who attacked the coasts of Annam and Cochin China)

Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa, 16th century (engraving)
3784188 Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa, 16th century (engraving); (add.info.: Caption in German reads: Horusce and Hareaden Barbarossa)

Jean Bart engaging French Sailors at Dunkirk in 1680 (engraving)
1107513 Jean Bart engaging French Sailors at Dunkirk in 1680 (engraving) by Baude, Charles (1853-1935); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jean Bart engaging French Sailors at Dunkirk in 1680)

Jean Bart and his son, 1887 (engraving)
3784111 Jean Bart and his son, 1887 (engraving); (add.info.: Jean Bart, Flemish sailor, served the French crown as naval commander and privateer. JB: 21 October 1651 - 27 April 1702)

Don John of Austria, 1910 (engraving)
3784094 Don John of Austria, 1910 (engraving); (add.info.: Don John of Austria ( in Spanish Don Juan de Austria) ( in German Ritter Johann von -sterreich) 24 February 1547 - 1 October 1578

English attack on Nova Colonia del Sacramento by East India Company Privateers under the command of Captain John Macnamara, Rio de la Plata, south-western Uruguay, 6 January 1763

Don John of Austria, 1910 (engraving)
3785198 Don John of Austria, 1910 (engraving); (add.info.: Don John of Austria ( in Spanish Don Juan de Austria) ( in German Ritter Johann von -sterreich) 24 February 1547 - 1 October 1578

Privateers tied up at Hungroad in the early 19th century, 1915 (oil on canvas)
2829842 Privateers tied up at Hungroad in the early 19th century, 1915 (oil on canvas) by Parsons, Arthur Wilde (1854-1931); 59.5x59.5 cm; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; eBristol Museums

British sailors boarding an Algerine pirate c. 1825
3855316 British sailors boarding an Algerine pirate c.1825 by Fairburn, J. (19th Century); (add.info.: British sailors boarding an Algerine pirate Hand to hand fighting between British sailors)

A Privateersman ashore, published in 1810 (litho)
STC306819 A Privateersman ashore, published in 1810 (litho) by Pyle, Howard (1853-1911); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; American, out of copyright

Arouji, brother of Barbarossa, attacks the treasure galleys of Pope Julius II
PNP270213 Arouji, brother of Barbarossa, attacks the treasure galleys of Pope Julius II, in 1504 (colour litho) by American School

A Revolutionary recruiting office, New England (litho)
STC306800 A Revolutionary recruiting office, New England (litho) by Pyle, Howard (1853-1911) (after); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; American, out of copyright

Rochefort - Corsair Surcouf (chromolitho)
961457 Rochefort - Corsair Surcouf (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rochefort - Corsair Surcouf)

Sir Kenelm Digby (engraving)
619421 Sir Kenelm Digby (engraving) by English School; Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-65), English courtier, diplomat

Sir Andrew Barton (coloured engraving)
668514 Sir Andrew Barton (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Andrew Barton.); © Look and Learn

Martin Frobishers new road to Cathay (oil on canvas)
3963583 Martin Frobishers new road to Cathay (oil on canvas) by McCormick, Arthur David (1860-1943); 69.8x90 cm; Newport Museum and Art Gallery

Jean Bart in the Battle of Texel on 29 June 1694, 1789. Creator: Anonymous
Jean Bart in the Battle of Texel on 29 June 1694, 1789. Private Collection

Portrait of Jean Bart (1650-1702), 1694. Creator: Anonymous
Portrait of Jean Bart (1650-1702), 1694. Private Collection

Sir Francis Drake, ca 1588. Creator: Anonymous
Sir Francis Drake, ca 1588. Private Collection

Sir Henry Morgan, 1678. Creator: Anonymous
Sir Henry Morgan, 1678. Private Collection

Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1596. Creator: Anonymous
Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1596. Private Collection

Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1641. Creator: Anonymous
Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1641. Private Collection

Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1628. Creator: Vaughan, Robert (c. 1600-before 1663)
Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1628. Private Collection

Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1741. Creator: Anonymous
Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1741. Private Collection

Battle at Sea between Soldiers and Oriental Pirates, 1767. Found in the collection of Nationalmuseum Stockholm

Cameo with Bust of Hayreddin Barbarossa. Private Collection

Francis Drake Knighted by Elizabeth, 1882. Artist: Anonymous
Francis Drake Knighted by Elizabeth, 1882. Private Collection

Hayreddin Barbarossa. Artist: Pietro della Vecchia (1603-1678)
Hayreddin Barbarossa. Private Collection

Boarding scene. Artist: Crepin, Louis-Philippe (1772-1851)
Boarding scene. Private Collection

Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1581. Artist: Hilliard, Nicholas (c. 1547-1619)
Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, 1581

Sir Henry Morgan, 18th century. Artist: Anonymous
Sir Henry Morgan, 18th century. Private Collection

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Privateers were a fascinating and enigmatic group of individuals who played a significant role in maritime history. From the daring exploits of Mrs Ching, widow of pirate Admiral Ching, to the gripping tales depicted in historical engravings and paintings, their stories continue to captivate our imagination. In 1930, an engraving titled "An attack by Indians" showcased the perilous encounters privateers faced on their voyages. The image portrayed the intensity and danger they encountered while navigating treacherous waters. Another drawing from 1831 depicted two pirates hanging as a stark reminder of the risks these men took for fortune and adventure. Their fate served as a chilling warning to those who dared follow in their footsteps. Engravings like "Galleass" from 1629 transported us back to an era when majestic ships ruled the seas. These vessels were often commandeered by privateers seeking glory and wealth through acts of piracy sanctioned by governments. One particularly striking engraving captured Mrs Ching wielding a sword around 1810. Her fierce determination exemplified the strength and courage displayed by women who defied societal norms during this time period. The legendary figures Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa were immortalized in a captivating 16th-century engraving. These fearless corsairs commanded respect with their audacious exploits against powerful adversaries on both land and sea. A mesmerizing oil painting from 1880 entitled "Corsairs" brought to life scenes filled with swashbuckling action, showcasing privateers engaged in thrilling battles against rival ships or defending themselves against relentless foes. Jean Bart's valiant efforts engaging French sailors at Dunkirk in 1680 were vividly illustrated through an enchanting engraving that conveyed his unwavering loyalty towards his countrymen amidst tumultuous times. In another engraved masterpiece dating back to 1887, Jean Bart was seen alongside his son—a testament to how privateering became a family affair, passed down from one generation to the next.