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

• Sir William Beechey (1753-1839), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 248 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

When Nelson returned home from Europe in 1800, he was not only the 'Hero of the Nile', but the subject of intense gossip because of his affair with Emma Hamilton. The portrait copies produced by Lemuel Francis Abbott after his painting of 1797 had satisfied public demand up to a point, but on Nelson's return to London a spate of artists set to work to further immortalise him. In recognition of his Norfolk origins, this portrait was commissioned by the City of Norwich. It depicts Nelson with an air of quiet self-confidence and is considered the most faithful likeness of him.

Related worksback to top

• NPG D16957: Horatio Nelson (after)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• I-Spy National Portrait Gallery, 2010, p. 28
• Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 86
• Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 61
• Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 32
• Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 10
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 455
• Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantic Icons, 1999, p. 41

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Regency tour
• Regency War Heroes and Military Martyrs
• War and peace tour