File:The Siege of Malta- Siege and Bombardment of Saint Elmo, 27 May 1565 RMG L9744.jpg

This is the second of eight pictures commemorating the Siege of Malta in 1565. The canvases bear the cipher of Charles I on the reverse indicating that they were once in his collection. The set as a whole is a version of the larger series still in place in the Council Chamber of the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta. It records the siege and bombardment of St Elmo, on 27 May, with the Turkish camp at Marsa. Taken from the view-point of the Turkish base camp at Marsa, it shows the formation of the Turkish batteries round St Elmo. Mustapha Pasha wished to capture this first in order to gain the harbour of Marsamucetto, and thus provide safe anchorage for his fleet. The painting demonstrates similar aerial perspective to BHC0252 and forms a continuous narrative to it since the figures to the far left of the first painting are shown here in the right foreground. In the background to the left the Turkish prepare for the attack on St Elmo Castle. The battery to the east, Point Dragut, is already in action. In the right background parties of Knights are skirmishing with the Turks. In the camp in the central foreground are the two Pashas for land and sea, mounted and in conference with Dragut's lieutenant, and behind them to the right a party of janissaries carry arquebuses. In the right foreground are spearmen and archers. A party of men in blue coats and red hats carry the bodies of fallen Turks wrapped in shrouds into a large tent. Just beyond the janissaries and following up the column of troops marching down to St Elmo is a large body of engineers and craftsmen, bearing siege tools and materials. See also BHC0252-0259.