The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805 [2] c. 1905-8
One of a series of five paintings depicting the events of the Battle of Trafalgar. The picture represents the battle between the hours of one and two o'clock when the 'Victory' was placed side by side with the French vessel 'Redoubtable. On the right of the 'Redoubtable is the 'Temeraire' and on the right of the 'Temeraire' the 'Neptune'. It was from the mizzentop of the 'Redoubtable' that the fatal shot hit Admiral Nelson, who exclaimed: "They have done for me at last Hardy." Sails of the ships are in shreds and sailors cling to wreckage in the foreground.
The group was possibly painted c. 1905, around the time of the battle's centenary, and it is unusual in de Martino's oeuvre, as these are the only historical scenes by him. De Martino's contemporaries, Thomas Jacques Somerscales and William Wyllie had both portrayed the event in the 1890s (Somerscales painting c. 1894, in the Government Art Collection). However, it was perhaps an appropriate reminder of one the greatest naval victories at a time when there was rising unease at the threat of war with Germany, and plans to build a Home Fleet.
In 1910 the paintings remained unsold and de Martino sent a round robin letter stating his wish that the Nation should have his 'life of Nelson paintings'. A response was sent on behalf of the King saying he would like to help, but couldn't quite see a way to realise this. On October 30th 1912, following de Martino's death, George V's Private Secretary, Lord Stamfordham reported that he had visited the artist's widow at her late husband's studio presumably to view the paintings. Isabel de Martino insisted that the paintings were only to be sold all together. On the 6 February 1913 she wrote to Lord Stamfordham…' I am pleased to accept your offer, about my husband's pictures. From the first, I told you how happy I was to feel that the King would have the Trafalgar pictures… I accept the offer of Twelve thousand guineas for the 7 pictures, the series of the 5 pictures of the battle of Trafalgar and, 1 of the Nile; 1 of the battle of St Vincent.'
George V's diary records that on Sunday 9 March, 1913: 'In the afternoon we went with David & Mary to Martino's studio and his widow and daughter showed us all his pictures.'
Purchased by George V from the artist’s widow, February 1913
