Napoleonic Wars (1803-15)
Views of naval engagements and maps of battles
Battle of Trafalgar, 1805
VICTORY of TRAFALGAR, in the REAR
published 1 Mar 1806Aquatint with etching and engraving; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto | 48.6 x 71.2 cm (image) | RCIN 735121.d
This view shows the rear ships of the British fleet, flying the White Ensign (a red St George's Cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the upper canton; Nelson had been promoted to Vice-Admiral of the White on 23 April 1804), and, on the right, the rescue by British sailors of the French sailors who are fleeing from their burning ship.
This is the fourth of four views (Plates 1 and 2 are unnumbered in this set) by Dodd of the Battle of Trafalgar. The companion prints are at RCINs 735121.a,b,c. These appear to be the originals of the views described in Parker 175.a which refers to a reprint made in 1843 by J.W. Laird. Laird's views, which appear to be a restrike from the original copperplates, were apparently reprinted about 1960.
Dedication: [bottom, below title:] This View of the total defeat of the Combined Fleets of France & Spain, with the Tenders of the British-Fleet saving their conquered Enemies from the Flames of their own / Vessel (L'Achille a French 74) is most respectfully inscribed to the Right Hon,,ble Lord Collingwood, the several Captains, the Officers, Seamen & Marines of his Division, / By their devoted Servant / Robt Dodd.
Condition: no fold lines. Verso: induced discolouration and surface dirt.
Robert Dodd (1748-1815) (artist, engraver and publisher) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Painted & Engraved by R. Dodd; [bottom centre, below dedication:] Published by R Dodd 41 Charing Cross 6 Doors from the Admiralty 1 March 1806.
Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood (1750-1810) (dedicatee)
Watermark: On print?, cropped: SMITH [and] 180[?]
Condition: no fold lines. Verso: induced discolouration and surface dirt
45.1 x 71.2 cm (neatline)
48.6 x 71.2 cm (image)
51.5 x 76.4 cm (platemark)
53.7 x 78.0 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
VICTORY of TRAFALGAR, in the REAR. [bottom centre, below view]
Printed title:
Plate 4. [bottom right, below edge of view]
Dedication:
[bottom, below title:] This View of the total defeat of the Combined Fleets of France & Spain, with the Tenders of the British-Fleet saving their conquered Enemies from the Flames of their own / Vessel (L'Achille a French 74) is most respectfully inscribed to the Right Hon,,ble Lord Collingwood, the several Captains, the Officers, Seamen & Marines of his Division, / By their devoted Servant / Robt Dodd.
Annotations:
(Recto) [bottom left, black pencil:] 16; [top left, black pencil:] XV-121-d. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 175.a.(4); [centre, black pencil:] 16; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 16; [bottom right, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] £1.1.0.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement Four views of the Battle of Trafalgar on the 21.st of Oct. 1805: by R. Dodd, 1806. [The same entry occurs under the heading Trafalgar.]
Subject(s)
Cabo Trafalgar, Andalusia, Spain (36°10'51"N 06°02'01"W)
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
