In a successful rendering of this very important landmark battle, spencer skillfully captures the feeling of 19th century naval warfare with the cannon close in, fiercely booming towards certain victory. Trafalgar was a favorite subject for the artist. He is known to have completed at least four known images of this event.
The battle of Trafalgar, fought in October of 1805, is perhaps the best known sea battle of the 19th century. As a result of this action Britain was guaranteed domination of the seas for the next century.
As a result of his deep involvement in this combat, Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson is commemorated frequently. Although victorious over the combined French and Spanish fleets, the brilliant and innovative tactician lost his life during the battle, victim of a French sharpshooter. The magnitude of his victory was shadowed only by nelson's funeral as all of England mourned the loss of this great naval leader.
