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Notes
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Nelson's final flagship, 'Victory', is shown moving under tow up Portsmouth Harbour. Although she had spent over 100 years afloat there since her final sea-going commission, the ship was brought into the Dockyard's No. 1 Basin on 16 December 1921 to have her ballast removed. On 12 January 1922 she was then moved the few yards to what has since been her permanent home in the No. 2 Dry Dock. From the main and foremasts she flies the flags of St George and St Andrew as well as the red ensign. She also flies the white ensign from the stern. The royal crest can be seen on the bow. There are a number of modern steam warships shown moored up on the left of the painting. The nearest, alongside Pitch House Jetty is the 'Thunderer', used as a cadet training ship from May 1921.
The 'Victory' was regarded as a national icon and Wyllie's response is to show the ship in an atmospheric study of golden sky and grey shipping. There is an emphasis on the expanse of sky, in which a watery winter sun is thinly veiled on the left. The artist differentiates between the greyness of the modern steel ships and the old sailing ship positioned against the golden glow from the sky. There is also a contrast between the streamlined and uncluttered steel ships and the detailing of the masts and rigging of the 'Victory', evoking a sense of loss and inviting comparison with Turner's 'The 'Fighting Temeraire' Tugged to her Last Berth to be Broken Up', of 1838. The golden sunset also emphasises this sense of loss as the old warship passes.
The son of an English genre painter, the artist was a painter and engraver. His interest in the sea developed into a continuing career as a marine painter. He worked on paintings of shipping throughout the First World War. Wyllie was a leading supporter of the 'Save the Victory' campaign, this painting being one manifestation of that support.
Title
With Drums and Rolling Music, Like a Queen: Ships of the Atlantic Fleet Play the 'Victory' into Dock
Date
1922
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 127 x W 185.4 cm
Accession number
BHC3700
Work type
Painting
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich, London, Greater London SE10 9NF England
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