Study for the "Attack on Copenhagen"

Burney's study relates to a finished watercolor engraved by William Angus for "The Stationer's Almanack" in 1802. The central panel depicts the naval Battle of Copenhagen and is framed by lightly drawn portraits. At right, Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson is supported by an allegory of the Nile, refering to his triumph over the French at the Battle of the Nile in 1797. At left, an allegory of Hispania near John Jervis, Earl St. Vincent refers to the defeat of the Spanish at Cape St. Vincent in the same year. The primary focus is the British victory over a Danish-Norwegian fleet off Copenhagen on April 2, 1801 by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker. On this occasion, Nelson famously held a telescope to his blind eye so that he could not see, and thus ignore, a signal to withdraw. He stands here on the poop deck of the "Elephant" at right, holding a document as a lieutenant hails an officer in a boat below. This refers to Nelson's generous offer of truce to "the brothers of the Englishmen, the Danes," in a message sent ashore to the Crown Prince of Denmark, to allow for the rescue of Danish wounded.