Oil painting, 'Vice Admiral Lord Nelson', Oil on canvas, Charles Lucy, 19th century

Oil painting of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson in military uniform, seated at his writing desk. The desk is covered in paper, pen and ink, books and various other personal effects. Nelson is turned away from the desk, towards the front and looking to his right. His elbow is rested on the back of the chair with his hand supporting his head, and he looks deep in thought.

Given by Sir Joshua Walmsley

Given by Sir Joshua Walmsley, 1872

Historical significance: The history painter Charles Lucy (1814-1873) studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Paul Delaroche and later at the Royal Academy Schools in London. He lived for many years at Barbizon, near Fontainebleau. He specialised in large historical pictures from English history, with a particular interest in Puritan scenes, and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1834 to 1873. Lucy received a premium of £200 for his painting Embarkation of the Pilgrim Fathers in the ship Mayflower in the Westminster Hall competition of 1847.

In 1868 Lucy was commissioned to paint a series of portraits of eminent figures. The majority were 19th-century English parliamentarians: Joseph Hume, Richard Cobden, John Bright, Gladstone and Disraeli; also depicted were Oliver Cromwell, Horatio Nelson and Giuseppe Garibaldi. The Liberal MP Sir Joshua Walmsley, who commissioned the series, bequeathed it to the V&A in 1872.

365-1872