Historic Trafalgar Nelson Painting Rediscovered

A recently rediscovered historic painting depicting the moment Admiral Lord Nelson was fatally wounded during the Battle of Trafalgar will go on sale for the first time at The Chelsea Antiques & Fine Art Fair in London, 23-27 March 2022. It is priced at £350,000.

Titled ‘Lord Nelson’s Victory of Trafalgar’ it will be offered for sale by art dealer Martyn Downer. It was painted by the Boston-born American artist Mather Brown (1761-1831) and represents a significantly important addition to the canon of Nelson paintings. It was painted by an artist who lived in London at the time and knew Nelson. 

Martyn Downer explains: “Mather Brown was one of a small group of artists – such as his fellow American Benjamin West, who were well known to Nelson in London. That familiarity is evident in Brown’s vivid and theatrical representation of Nelson receiving his fatal wound at the battle of Trafalgar which, amid the smoke of conflict, offers us one of the most compelling and well-informed late portraits of the admiral. The re-discovery of Brown’s bold attempt to win the 1805 competition for the best painting of the dramatic scene is an exciting moment for Nelson enthusiasts and for scholars of eighteenth-century art, especially for followers of this fascinating and complex artist.”  

The fair has more exhibits with historic connections to Lord Nelson. Wick Antiques will offer Lady Hamilton’s keepsake ‘orange blossom’ box for her wedding flowers, dating from circa 1795 with a full history. This unique item of Nelson memorabilia (‘Nelsonia’) has a ticket price of £6,600.  

THE CHELSEA ANTIQUES & FINE ART FAIR 

Chelsea Old Town Hall, 

King’s Road, London SW3 5EE
Press & PR – Hi-Res Images etc.  

Duncan Phillips PR Tel: 01460 359 792 / 07980 832639.