Benjamin West, The Death of Lord Nelson in the Cockpit of the Ship Victory, painting, 1808


The scene in the cockpit of 'Victory', 100 guns, during the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805. The narrative combines the portraiture of the principal figures with an enhanced history painting and shows Lord Nelson's dying moments. He lies propped on pillows, in profile, on the right of the picture, left side visible. His shirt is ripped open and he is draped in a white sheet. The artist evokes neo-classical funerary statuary through his emphasis of Nelson's pallor.


Size: 4475px × 5500px
Location: RMG
Photo credit: © ICP / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1800s, 1808, 19th, admiral, archive, art, artwork, battle, benjamin, canvas, century, death, decks, dying, fine, historical, history, lord, nelson, oil, painter, painters, painting, paintings, trafalgar, victory, west