Benjamin West’s picture of the death of Nelson is closely
connected with an anecdote of the great sailor. Just before
he went to sea for the last time, he was present at a dinner,
during which he sat between the artist and Sir William Hamilton.
Nelson was expressing to Hamilton his regret that he had not, in
his youth, acquired some taste for art and some discrimination
in judging it.
“But,” said he, turning to West, “there is one picture whose
power I do feel. I never pass a shop where your ‘Death of Wolfe’
is in the window without being stopt by it.”
West made some gracious answer to the compliment, and Nelson
went on. “Why have you painted no more like it?”
“Because, my lord,” West replied, “there are no more subjects.”
“Ah!” said the sailor, “I didn’t think of that.”
“But, my lord,” continued West, “I am afraid your intrepidity
will yet furnish me with another such scene; and if it should, I
shall certainly avail myself of it.”
“Will you?” said Nelson. “Will you, Mr. West? Then I hope I
shall die in the next battle!”
A few days later he sailed, his strangely exprest aspiration was
realized, and the scene lives upon canvas.
(1059)