The Death of Nelson, 21 October 1805
Encyclopedia
The Death of Nelson, 21 October 1805 is an 1807
painting by Arthur William Devis
portraying the death of Horatio Nelson
at 16:30 on 21 October 1805, below decks on his flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar
. It is now in the National Maritime Museum
, Greenwich
.
were the two most notable entrants. Devis was released from debtors' prison to produce such a painting, in order to pay off his debts, and - possibly with help Alexander Davison
(Nelson's banker and one of Devis's patrons) - was allowed to spend a week on board off Portsmouth
after her return from Trafalgar
. There he made sketches, a model of the place Nelson died, notes and studies for the individual portrait heads (including a sketch of Nelson's body and the bullet that had killed him, during the autopsy on 11 December by Dr Beatty, the ship's surgeon, as the ship sailed from Portsmouth to the Nore for Nelson's lying-in-state), as well as a separate portrait of Dr Beatty. Beatty also commissioned Devis to produce a half-length painting of Nelson as vice-admiral from the autopsy sketches, which he lent to Emma Hamilton (who later lost it in an accident whilst travelling), and illustrations for his Narratives.
West criticised Devis's treatment, which was in contrast to West's own "Epic Composition" (which even more inaccurately showed Nelson dying on Victory’s quarterdeck where he had first been shot, and was refused by the Greenwich Royal Naval Hospital on West's death - it is now in the Walker Art Gallery
Liverpool). However, it was Devis's work that won Boydell's commission, though it was only printed in 1812 despite having already gained 800 subscribers by August 1806 and despite the chosen engraver, William Bromley, having promised to have it done in two years from December 1806. West's painting had made it to print by 1811 and the two had equally great success in the short term, though the Naval Gallery (housed in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital) refused to buy Devis's painting from Boydell. However, Devis's was purchased by Nicholas Vansittart, Lord Bexley (envoy to the Danes at the time of the Battle of Copenhagen
), who in 1825 presented it to the Naval Gallery, from which point onwards it became the better known of the 2 works. Devis’s large oil sketch for it was bought in 1852 by Queen Victoria, from 1892 or earlier to 1992 a waxwork tableau at Madame Tussaud’s reproduced the painting, a smaller copy was placed near Nelson's place of death during restoration of Victory in the 1920s, and the original was placed as the Painted Hall’s central painting by the late 19th century. In this position, it was at the heart of the Hall's role as a major Nelsonic and naval shrine.
’s 1777 The Death of General Wolfe
(engraved by Boydell's uncle John), this painting takes liberties with the actual setting and people present. The place of death on the ’tween-deck was actually far shorter than depicted, and Hardy (standing behind Nelson) was not present at the moment of death. The grouping, with Nelson's posture against a large timber of the ship's hull and role as the main light source in an otherwise dark painting, recalls the Deposition
of Christ from the cross.
1807 in art
-Events:*Completion of Fonthill Abbey, built to house the art collection of William Thomas Beckford.-Works:*David Wilkie – Rent Day*Jacques-Louis David – The Coronation of Napoleon-Births:*February 4 – Max Emanuel Ainmiller, glass painter...
painting by Arthur William Devis
Arthur William Devis
Arthur William Devis was an English painter of history paintings and portraits. He was appointed draughtsman in a voyage projected by the East India Company in 1783, under Captain Henry Wilson, in which he was wrecked on the Pelew Islands before proceeding to Canton and thence to Bengal...
portraying the death of Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
at 16:30 on 21 October 1805, below decks on his flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
. It is now in the National Maritime Museum
National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,...
, Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
.
Inception
Only a month after Trafalgar, on 22 November, a press advert by the publisher Josiah Boydell announced he would give a prize of 500 guineas for the best "Death of Nelson" painting, which he would then engrave. Devis and Benjamin WestBenjamin West
Benjamin West, RA was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence...
were the two most notable entrants. Devis was released from debtors' prison to produce such a painting, in order to pay off his debts, and - possibly with help Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison was an English businessman, born on 2 April 1750 in Lanton, Northumberland, England and who died in 1829 in Brighton, England. He was a contemporary and close friend of Admiral Lord Nelson....
(Nelson's banker and one of Devis's patrons) - was allowed to spend a week on board off Portsmouth
HMNB Portsmouth
Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the British Royal Navy...
after her return from Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
. There he made sketches, a model of the place Nelson died, notes and studies for the individual portrait heads (including a sketch of Nelson's body and the bullet that had killed him, during the autopsy on 11 December by Dr Beatty, the ship's surgeon, as the ship sailed from Portsmouth to the Nore for Nelson's lying-in-state), as well as a separate portrait of Dr Beatty. Beatty also commissioned Devis to produce a half-length painting of Nelson as vice-admiral from the autopsy sketches, which he lent to Emma Hamilton (who later lost it in an accident whilst travelling), and illustrations for his Narratives.
Reception
Walker Art Gallery
The Walker Art Gallery is an art gallery in Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as "the National Gallery of the North" because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part...
Liverpool). However, it was Devis's work that won Boydell's commission, though it was only printed in 1812 despite having already gained 800 subscribers by August 1806 and despite the chosen engraver, William Bromley, having promised to have it done in two years from December 1806. West's painting had made it to print by 1811 and the two had equally great success in the short term, though the Naval Gallery (housed in the Painted Hall at Greenwich Hospital) refused to buy Devis's painting from Boydell. However, Devis's was purchased by Nicholas Vansittart, Lord Bexley (envoy to the Danes at the time of the Battle of Copenhagen
Battle of Copenhagen (1801)
The Battle of Copenhagen was an engagement which saw a British fleet under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker fight and strategically defeat a Danish-Norwegian fleet anchored just off Copenhagen on 2 April 1801. Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson led the main attack. He famously disobeyed Parker's...
), who in 1825 presented it to the Naval Gallery, from which point onwards it became the better known of the 2 works. Devis’s large oil sketch for it was bought in 1852 by Queen Victoria, from 1892 or earlier to 1992 a waxwork tableau at Madame Tussaud’s reproduced the painting, a smaller copy was placed near Nelson's place of death during restoration of Victory in the 1920s, and the original was placed as the Painted Hall’s central painting by the late 19th century. In this position, it was at the heart of the Hall's role as a major Nelsonic and naval shrine.
Accuracy and iconography
As with its model, Benjamin WestBenjamin West
Benjamin West, RA was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence...
’s 1777 The Death of General Wolfe
The Death of General Wolfe
The Death of General Wolfe is a well-known 1770 painting by Anglo-American artist Benjamin West depicting the death of British General James Wolfe during the 1759 Battle of Quebec of the Seven Years' War. It is an oil on canvas of the Enlightenment period...
(engraved by Boydell's uncle John), this painting takes liberties with the actual setting and people present. The place of death on the ’tween-deck was actually far shorter than depicted, and Hardy (standing behind Nelson) was not present at the moment of death. The grouping, with Nelson's posture against a large timber of the ship's hull and role as the main light source in an otherwise dark painting, recalls the Deposition
Descent from the Cross
The Descent from the Cross , or Deposition of Christ, is the scene, as depicted in art, from the Gospels' accounts of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus taking Christ down from the cross after his crucifixion . In Byzantine art the topic became popular in the 9th century, and in the West from the...
of Christ from the cross.
Persons depicted
- Revd Alexander ScottAlexander John ScottReverend Dr. Alexander John Scott was a chaplain who served in the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He served as Horatio Nelson's personal chaplain at the Battle of Trafalgar, and had previously served as his private secretary...
, Nelson's chaplain, rubbing his chest to help relieve the pain - Victory's purser Walter Burke, supporting the pillow.
- Nelson’s steward, Chevalier, looking towards Beatty
- Beatty, ship's surgeon, who feels Nelson’s pulse and is about to pronounce him dead
- Captain Hardy, standing behind Nelson
- Midshipman Collingwood and Lieutenant Yule (rear left and left), with a pile of captured enemy flags being brought in by a seaman
- Guitano, Nelson’s valet, standing in right profile in front of Collingwood, holding a glass from which Nelson took his last sips of water
- ‘Victory’s’ carpenter, Mr Bunce, stands on the far right above Bligh
- Lieutenant George Miller BlighGeorge Miller BlighGeorge Miller Bligh was an officer of the Royal Navy, who saw service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. He was present aboard at the Battle of Trafalgar, and was badly wounded during the action...
, the dazed and wounded figure far right, below Bunce - Assistant Surgeon Neil Smith seated far right