Location

Country: St. Helena
City: Jamestown
Place: Governor's Office

Interpretation about this artwork is under review

The Government Art Collection recognises its responsibility to artists, colleagues and all our audiences to represent the diversity of the UK and to embed anti-racist and equitable practices throughout our work. We are taking action to address inequality in the Collection and its interpretation.

Benjamin West was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He received some training, probably from John Valentine Haidt, before travelling to Italy in 1760. Whilst there, West met German painter and art critic Anton Raphael Mengs and Scottish history painter Gavin Hamilton. In 1763, he settled in London and exhibited mainly historical subjects, which were well received. In 1772, he became historical painter to King George III and, in 1791, surveyor of the King's pictures - a lucrative position. A founding member of the Royal Academy, West exhibited there from 1769 to 1819 and succeeded Sir Joshua Reynolds as President. As well as painting history subjects, he also painted portraits and landscapes and designed stained-glass.

People

Nelson, Horatio, Viscount Nelson

Places

Subjects

deck (ship), mast, rigging, HMS 'Victory', history painting, male portrait, group portrait, genre, telescope, smoke, sea, man, 19th century costume, military uniform, shirt, stockings, breeches, trousers, tricorn hat, bicorn, shoe, flag, medal, death, Viscount, sailor (navy), cannon, musket, rifle (military), Battle of Trafalgar, ship

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

James Heath (1757 - 1834)
Benjamin West (1738 - 1820)

Title

The Death of Lord Viscount Nelson

Date

1 May 1811

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from Colnaghi, April 1952

GAC number

1558