The death of Admiral-Lord-Nelson in the moment of victory! [graphic]

"An allegorical design combined with a quasi-realistic scene on the deck of the 'Victory'. The dying Nelson, in half-reclining position on a cannon, is supported by Britannia and by Captain Hardy, who stanches his wound. A young sailor kneels at his feet, supporting the hand from which Nelson's sword drops; he holds up the folds of the tattered tricolour flag which another sailor, with a gesture of astonishment and grief, has brought to Nelson. The flag (from the French flag-ship, the 'Bucentaure') is inscribed 'Vive l'Emp[ereur des] Francois'. On the deck, beside Nelson, his telescope lies across a paper: 'Bay of Trafalgar'. Britannia, with trident, shield, and a small branch of olive, kneels on the cannon, covering her eyes with her left hand. Poised on a cloud of smoke behind Britannia stands Fame, blowing his trumpet and holding up a pen with which he has just written in large letters on a swirling cloud the word 'Immortality'. The flag of the 'Victory', torn by shot, is on the extreme left; beside it three marines fire their muskets with deadly effect at the men in the mizen-top of the adjacent French ship, the 'Redoubtable' (who were responsible for the fatal shot). On the right sailors fire a cannon. A sailor climbs the rigging, waving his hat. ..."--British Museum online catalogue