The Nelson Pediment

[evacguy]

Represented in this frieze is Britannia receiving the body of Nelson. Nelsons body was sent to Britannia by the command of Neptune, the prominent figure on the left with his arms open. Neptune is riding on a shell drawn by four magnificent sea horses – carved in the likeness of the Elgen Marbles. Over Neptunes left shoulder is a sad looking British sailor announcing 'Trafalgar' as the scene of the hero's death with the date MDCCCV (1805). To the right of Britannia is the Winged Victory, who supports the body of the hero with her right hand, and with her left hand resigns to Britannia the trident of the god Neptune, in token of the dominion of the sea.

To the left of Britannia is a regal British Lion, holding in his magnificent paws a tablet inscribed 'Nelson’s CXXXII Battles' proclaiming the 132 naval engagements the hero fought, and to the left of the Britannic Lion is a winged figure proclaiming the genius of Nelson’s victories of The Nile and Copenhagen.

Right of centre are the three sister-kingdoms, Scotland, England, and Ireland. Scotland, holding a thistle and Ireland, grasping a shamrock to her breast affectionately comforting England, who holds a bunch of roses in her left hand and is overcome by feelings of the deepest sorrow. At the right extremity of the pediment are represented various naval implements of war and maritime implements, while at the left extremity, the destruction of the enemy's fleet at Trafalgar.

This magnificent frieze is called, ‘The Immortality of Nelson’ and can be seen at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, my place of work as it is the campus of the University of Greenwich

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 70.0 mm
• ƒ/22
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 70.0 mm
• ƒ/22
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 70.0 mm
• ƒ/22
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 800

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
• 70.0 mm
• ƒ/22
• 1/80 sec
• ISO 800

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[Brownie]

Beautiful!

 

[evacguy]

Beautiful!

Thanks Tim, it is rather magnificent.

 

[evacguy]

Thanks Tim, it is rather magnificent.

It may be interesting for the cousins to know that the frieze is based on a painting by anglo-american artist Benjamin West (1738-1820). West was born in Pennsylvania, the 10th child of an inn keeper. It is said that when he was a child, native Americans taught him how to make paint by mixing clay with bear grease. West, taught by native Americans, would later become the second president of the Royal Academy in London. From 1746 to 1759 West worked in Pennsylvania, painting portraits. West was a close friend of Benjamin Franklin, who was the godfather of his second son. West also painted Benjamin Franklins portrait.

In 1763 West arrived in England being on a grand tour of Europe. England was to be his last stop on his way back home to America, but instead he remained in England, never to return to America. West painted his most famous and influential painting, ‘The Death of General Wolfe’ in 1770 – it is worth noting that General Wolfe was also a Greenwich boy. West also painted, ‘The Preservation of St Paul after a Shipwreck at Malta (25 ft x 14 ft) in 1789 which is the centre piece above the altar in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College.

In 1801, 3 years after the Battle of the Nile, West, who was then the President of the Royal Academy, met Nelson. Nelson told West how much he admired the Wolfe painting and said he would like to be West’s next subject. Six months after the Battle of Trafalgar, West created his painting, ‘The Death of Nelson’, which hangs in the House of Lords, and ‘The Immortality of Nelson’ in 1807.

In 1812, the frieze, ‘The Immortality of Nelson’ was executed in Coade stone by West and Joseph Panzetta. The sketch for the frieze is in the National Maritime Museum Greenwich. West was buried in St.Pauls Cathedral.