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A painting showing the 'Victory' at her permanent home in No. 2 Dry Dock, Portsmouth. She was dry-docked at Portsmouth in 1922 following the launch of a national appeal – the 'Save the Victory Fund' – to restore and preserve her in her Trafalgar condition. The painting shows the ship during an early phase of her reconditioning together with a number of the men working on it. Several men stand on the scaffolding to the right of the picture, working on the royal crest bearing the coat of arms of George III. On the right a number of figures are at work on the ship from the scaffolding, observed by members of the restoration committee. The artist has paid close attention to detail of the work in progress. He has concentrated on the restoration and the figures, both looking at the ship and working on it.
Members of the restoration committee stand in two groups on the jetty on the left, looking at plans. Admiral Sir Frederick Doveton Sturdee is shown in the foreground of the picture with Sir Philip Watts and Wyllie's son Harold. He is shown discussing a blueprint of the rigging with Sir Philip. Other members of the 'Victory' committee stand in a group in the foreground. Sir Doveton Sturdee was a prime mover in the restoration efforts.
The painting combines reportage with portraiture in this distinctive and unusual composition. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy and bought almost immediately by Sir James Caird, who substantially helped to fund the 'Victory' restoration, and his support later underlay the creation of the National Maritime Museum, for which he amassed and donated a huge collection as well as providing funding.
Title
The 'Nelson Touch': Restoring HMS 'Victory', 1805–1925
Date
1925
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 127.5 x W 186.3 cm
Accession number
BHC3701
Acquisition method
on loan to National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth
Work type
Painting