(Plan 1821–1881 Hallstatt)
The Naval Battle of Lissa, signed J. C. B. Püttner, oil on canvas, 84 x 130 cm, framed

Literature:
Wladimir Aichelburg, Register der k.(u.) k. Kriegsschiffe, Vienna-Graz 2002,
pp. 193–195.

We are grateful to Dr. Wladimir Aichelburg for his scientific assistance with cataloguing the present work.

During the Third Italian War of Independence, Italy, under the command of Admiral Persano, prepared for the Battle of Lissa to reclaim the Venetian territories from the Austrian Empire. During the preparations for this battle Admiral Persano heard that Rear Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthof had already set sail. In consequence he separated his fleet into three divisions according to traditional fleet command and contrary to a previous, different positioning. The Austrian fleet was formed by Tegetthof into three divisions and one V each. As soon as the opportunity arose, a ship under the Austrian flag sailed through the Italian formation. Püttner depicts the climax of the battle when the Austrian armoured frigate FERDINAND MAX with Rear Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff on board sank the Italian armoured frigate RÉ D‘ITALIA by ramming.
Tegetthof‘s preparation for this battle, combined with his brilliant command against a vastly superior but confused Italian fleet, helped the Austrian fleet to a historic victory. A battle from which Admiral Tegetthof emerged as a hero, so that he was later appointed commander of the Austrian Navy.