Nemesis by Ivan Berryman.

DHM1916. Nemesis by Ivan Berryman.

Arguably the most iconic moment in British naval history, HMS Victory is depicted just moments from firing her devastating opening salvo into the stern galleries of the French flagship Bucentaure at Trafalgar as Nelson's flagship enters the fray at approximately 12.30pm on October 21st 1805. Beyond Victory, in the extreme distance through the gun smoke, Collingwood's Royal Sovereignis engaging the Santa Ana. To the left of the painting, the French Neptune and Spanish San Justo can be seen with Redoutable immediately beyond Victory, trying vainly to close the gap. Victory, already shot to pieces, is about to wreak her terrible revenge on the Bucentaure in the foreground where Vice-Admiral Villeneuve can be seen on the poop deck - wearing the green corduroy pantaloons. Nelson was surely the nemesis of Villeneuve, who had been summarily humiliated some seven years earlier at the Battle of the Nile and Nelson's tactics would again win the day for His Majesty's navy, albeit at the tragic cost of Nelson himself.

Signed limited edition of 1150 paper prints.

Image size 25 inches x 17 inches (64cm x 43cm)

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Website Price: £ 95.00  

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List of Editions :

Signed limited edition of 1150 paper prints. - Price £95.00

Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. - Price £135.00

Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. - Price £690.00

Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. - Price £590.00

Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. - Price £460.00

Original painting, oil on canvas by Ivan Berryman.  - Price £9000.00

All prices are displayed in British Pounds Sterling

 

The morning of 21st October 1805 dawned clear, under a hazy sky, with a breeze from the west-north-west so light that the sea was scarcely ruffled. At ten to six on this beautiful autumn morning, Nelsons ships sighted the French and Spanish fleet against the dawn sky. The British ships, in line ahead, were sailing slowly north and rolling in a long Atlantic swell. There were 17,000 men in the British fleet and the vast majority were relieved, if apprehensive, that their long years of waiting were about to come to an end. With Nelson in command there was never the slightest doubt of victory, only of how extensive the victory might be. As soon as it was light enough for flags to be seen, Lord Nelson hoisted the first of his signals that morning: to prepare for battle, and then, in the words of the naval signal book, to bear up and sail large on the course set by the Admiral. The Victorys bow began to swing into the path of the rising sun and soon every ship in the English fleet was altering course towards the enemy. All sail was set, and as the morning advanced and the sun grew warmer, an air that was almost festive pervaded the fleet. From rime to time, the captains hailed each other with megaphones, and wished each other an enemy ship in tow before the night. Small boats were launched and rowed from ship to ship, for in this light wind the speed of the fleet was easily overtaken by a rowers pace. And down in the gloom of the gundecks men chalked defiant slogans on their guns. The French and Spanish did not sight the British fleet until six oclock, because the light was behind them. When they did, their feelings at the sight were different. The British felt they had caught their enemy, the French and the Spanish felt they had been caught. The British never doubted Nelson would lead them to victory, but a good many of the French and Spanish suspected their own admiral of cowardice, and only hoped at the best to save their own honour in defeat. They were willing to fight, but among those who were well informed, there was not much doubt of what the result would be if a battle began. The only doubt at dawn was whether the breeze would hold so that a battle would begin that day, and end before the night. At nine oclock the enemy fleet were five miles distant. Any sombre thoughts had been dispelled by the air of gaiety. The sun was well up and the sea sparkling.

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