Cheltenham House Antiques

Description

A very fine miniature portrait of Lord Nelson (Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte). Circa 1800.

Pictured wearing his famous dark blue Naval uniform, with gold epaulettes and adorning a medal around his neck (possible Battle of The Nile - 1798), Lord Nelson sits facing away, looking on from the viewer.

During the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in July 1797, Nelson's right arm was hit above the elbow with a musket ball, shattering it completely. He went on to have the arm amputated by a trusted surgeon, stating it was merely a "Useless piece of flesh", going on to make a full recovery and learning to write with his left hand very quickly. We can see his right sleeve cuff pinned to his torso, dating this portrait around 1800, after this famous battle injury he suffered at sea.

He was killed at sea in 1805, during the Battle of Trafalgar - of which he was posthumously awarded a Gold medal for his service.

Period: 1800

Measurements: W10cm x H13cm | W4in x H5in