Battle of Trafalgar

Location

Country: Japan
City: Tokyo
Place: British Embassy

'Battle of Trafalgar' by Robert Strickland Thomas (1787-1853) shows the naval battle which took place during the Napoleonic Wars on 21 October 1805. Under Admiral Nelson in HMS Victory, the British fleet defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet, just west of Cape Trafalgar, a headland in south-west Spain. The battle ended the threat of a French invasion of England and established British naval supremacy until the First World War. 

The artist of this work joined the Royal Navy in 1805 but did not participate in the Battle of Trafalgar. He painted this picture several years after the event. It shows part of the British fleet lined up in formation in order to attack enemy lines at right angles. This tactic, devised by Nelson, was an important element in the British success. 

Robert Strickland Thomas entered the Royal Navy as a seaman aboard the ‘Princess Charlotte’ frigate in 1805. He was promoted to Midshipman and may have been taught to paint by the captain of the ship, George Tobin, an amateur painter who later retired to Teignmouth, South Devon, to paint with Thomas Luny. Robert Strickland Thomas took up painting to supplement his income at times when he was on half pay. He became Master’s Mate in the sloop ‘Brisk’ (1807-13), before joining the frigate ‘Creole’ to become Acting Lieutenant. He was confirmed as Lieutenant in 1815, but left the navy after contracting a disease, which left him deaf.

Places

Subjects

cannon, Battle of Trafalgar, ship

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Robert Strickland Thomas (1787 - 1853)

Title

Battle of Trafalgar

Date

1835

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 99.00 cm, width: 170.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from the Parker Gallery, March 1957

Inscription

Sd

Provenance

Sold through Sotheby's, London, in c.1956-57 (Lot 133); with the Parker Gallery, London; from whom purchased by the Ministry of Works in March 1957

GAC number

3754