The battle of Trafalgar took place on 21 October 1805. Lord Nelson’s body was brought back on his ship HMS Victory by December that year. Turner made sketches of the Victory and exhibited his first treatment of the sea battle at Trafalgar in 1806. It was later described as ‘a British epic picture’.

The sketch shown here is for another, bigger, painting of the battle of Trafalgar made for King George IV in 1822-4. It is a celebration of the battle and a contribution to national rejoicing. Blake’s apotheosis of Nelson, shown nearby, is more questioning about war and its means.