Horatio Nelson

Sitterback to top

• Horatio Nelson, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805), Vice-Admiral and victor of Trafalgar. Sitter associated with 84 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Lemuel Francis Abbott (circa 1760-1802), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 76 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

This is one of the many portraits Abbott painted of Nelson and it is perhaps the most widely recognised of the whole Nelson iconography. It depicts him in rear-admiral's uniform wearing the Star and Ribbon of the Bath and the Naval Gold Medal, awarded for his victory at the Battle of St Vincent (1797). The original portrait was painted for Captain Locker of the Greenwich Hospital. This version, commissioned for Lady Nelson, was also taken from life. Although Nelson only sat to him twice, Abbott subsequently copied the picture over forty times. The copies gradually declined in quality as the artist became mentally ill but this was no bar to their popularity. Many were purchased by Nelson's naval colleagues, his family and friends.

Related worksback to top

• NPG 6294: Horatio Nelson (possibly after)
• NPG D38494: Horatio Nelson (source portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 91
• Gibson, Robin, Treasures from the National Portrait Gallery, 1996, p. 77
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 455
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 358

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Regency War Heroes and Military Martyrs
• Uniforms