The image depicts the confrontation between the British and French naval fleets, in the early hours of the Battle of the Glorious First of June 1794, off Ushant. Although the French flagship, the Montagne, and that of British, the Queen Charlotte, left of centre of the picture, are both pounding each other with broadsides and their sails are holed, and cannon smoke swirls between other ships in the background, many vessels are still intact and none appear yet to have lost their masts or be sinking.

This battle was the first fleet action in the French Revolutionary Wars. The British Channel Fleet under Admiral Lord Howe was attempting to prevent a French convoy, carrying grain from America, reaching the French coast. The convoy was protected by the French Atlantic Fleet, under its flagship, the Montagne, commanded by Rear-Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse. Both sides claimed a glorious victory, but both fleets were badly damaged. Although the grain convoy did reach the French coast, the French fleet was so damaged that it was out of action for some time.