Beautiful, detailed steel engraving from the picture by J.M.W. Turner.
The Battle of Trafalgar (the painting) was ordered by King George IV for the Painted Hall at Greenwich, as a pendant for Louthebourg's Lord Howe's action, or the Glorious First of June. It shows the Royal Navy ship HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. It was controversial at the time, since it was not considered to be historically accurate. Turner chose to combine events from several times during the battle:
ï Lord Nelson's famous signal ("England expects that every man will do his duty") flies from the Victory (11:50). Turner shows the signal flags flying from the main-mast, though in reality they would have been flown from the mizzen-mast and were replaced with the signal for "engage the enemy more closely" once the battle commenced.
ï The mizzen-topmast falls (13:00).
ï The Achille is on fire in the background (late afternoon).
ï The Redoutable sinks in the foreground (following day).
Printed on heavyweight ivory/cream stock. Reverse side is blank.
Title (printed below image): The Battle of Trafalgar
Publication: The Art Journal
Publication Year: 1864
Publisher: London: Virtue & Co., Ltd.
Approximate Page Size (in inches): 12.75 x 9
Approximate Image Size (in inches): 10 x 7
Condition: Excellent.
Library blind stamp* in margin area does not detract from the beauty of this print.
*blind stamp: A colorless impression that is embossed on paper.
