Code: 46146
Date: 1806
Admiral & Victor of Trafalgar. Mezzotint engraved by Charles Turner. Overall sheet size : 42.8cms x 74.8cms; image size: 393mm x 567mm Published in 9th January 1806 on the day of Nelson's funeral which was held in St Paul's Cathedral (he died during the Battle of Trafalgar October 21st 1805). Bottom right tip missing else very good condition.
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (1758-1805) Vice-Admiral & Victor of Trafalgar
This mezzotint was created as part of a commemorative run to coincide with the day of Nelson’s state funeral at St Paul’s cathedral by the English mezzotint engraver and draughtsman Charles Turner (1774-1857) and taken from the 1802 painting by John Hoppner (1758-1810) . It shows the acclaimed Admiral standing infront of the destruction of the Danish fleet at Copenhagen.
“Nelson stands on a rocky seashore, leaning on a rock, wearing the full-dress uniform of a Rear-Admiral with orders and decorations; behind is a view of the naval bombardment of Copenhagen. The low view point and storm clouds apparently gathered around the sitter’s head are devices learned from Reynolds’s depiction of heroes. [The original] portrait must have been commissioned in 1801 with sittings taken during Nelson’s time in England in the summer of that year; in 24 March 1802 Farington records in his diary that Hoppner intended to send the portrait to the Royal Academy, though in the end he failed to do so.
Royal Collection Trust.
