rafalgar represented a crucial naval victory for the British.

Their dominance effectively established

them as the great naval power and ended Napoleon’s plans to conquer England. The significance of
this battle for British history cannot be overstated. Afterwards, many citizens called for a government
commissioned work of art depicting the battle. This reflected the role of the history painting and the
artist by demonstrating the virtue of the hero, Lord Nelson, to the entire nation. [4] The importance of
Nelson and his tactics are referenced in Victory's dominating position in the scene, the execution as
a history painting, and Turner's care in rendering all elements of the scene.

Role as a history painting[edit]

'Twas in Trafalgar's Bay' (Turner's 'Trafalgar' explained by a Greenwich Pensioner)

A history painting is traditionally defined as a large-scale work depicting a scene from the Bible,
mythology, or classical history. Generally regarded as the height of artistic genres, Turner
recognizes this and paints The Battle of Trafalgar as a history painting depicting a contemporary
event and as a patchwork scene composed of different moments portrayed as being simultaneous.
Turner knows the importance of this genre and employs it to further the significance of the
contemporary scene. This action firmly cements the work as being of great national significance and
affirms Britain as a great maritime power. [5] In the pursuit of these ideals and significance, Turner
took several moments from the battle, across several days, and merged them into one moment in
one scene.[1] This then represents Turner's desire to take the battle and use it to create something of
general, philosophical, and national significance. This aspect, along with the pyramidal composition
reference triumph and sacrifice reaffirm this work's place as a history painting, despite it not
depicting one scene from ancient history, religion, or mythology. [6]

Studies[edit]
The British were attempting to establish themselves as a major maritime power; with their victory in
this battle they were successful and with this painting that becomes evident. Turner had a great deal
of personal interest and investment in this work and with the history of the Battle of Trafalgar in
general. Turner made several sketches immediately after the battle, careful studies of the ships and
their rigging, and close details of the uniforms.[7] The most notable of these early works was The
Battle of Trafalgar, as Seen from the Mizen Starboard Shrouds of the Victory. This work was well
received and provided the foundation from which Turner would develop Trafalgar into a scene
representing an overall account of the whole battle. [7] This earlier depiction is closer to Turner’s style
in that it leans away from traditional maritime paintings and more toward the ambiguity and sublime
that Turner would later be known for. In preparation for Trafalgar Turner created two preparatory oil
sketches, with the First Sketch for ‘The Battle of Trafalgar’ aligning its composition with the
traditional maritime paintings.[7] The Second Sketch for ‘The Battle of Trafalgar’ moves away from
this traditional style and more closely resembles his final product with a more organized chaos via
the build-up of clouds and people in the foreground. Despite this work being a commission, Turner
chooses to depict the final work in a style that moves away from conventional practices and closer to
his original work and personal style further indicating his personal connection with Trafalgar. [8] While
the subject of the piece is evident, there are elements of ambiguity suggesting the sublime, the
dissolution of space via strokes of pure paint, and the symmetry between human and natural forces.

References