On the left in the foreground Nelson is shown being held by two sailors and a marine, who can be identified by his stripes as Sergeant Secker. A dead marine lies on the deck on the left and an injured sailor lies on the deck on the right. Across the foreground are positioned a carefully placed musket and hat. Above on the right, on the poop, British sailors and marines are engaging the French on the left, where the ‘Redoutable’ is placed. Several figures have turned on the left to look towards the group of figures carrying Nelson. The English and French flags are prominently displayed top left, and the dramatic effect is heightened by the contrasting black-and-white smoke shown billowing on the left. This painting may relate to a version exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1806 as a ‘Sketch for a Death of Nelson’.