The Death of Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805 RMG BHC0543

The Death of Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805
One of a series of paintings of the same subject by Drummond, concentrating on the group of figures carrying Nelson. He was struck by a musket ball fired from the French ‘Redoutable’ after which he was rapidly carried below so that the men around him would not lose heart.
Drummond’s composition pays homage to imagery relating to the deposition from the cross. On the left in the foreground Nelson is shown being held by two sailors and a marine. This composition is closely related to the engraving done by Drummond and published in 1809 (see BHC0547). The artist exhibited a picture of this title in the Liverpool Academy exhibitions of 1812 no. 109 and of 1813 no. 26.

The Death of Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805