Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1981.25.993
Gallery Label:
The Battle of the Nile increased Nelson's stature as a naval hero, giving rise to semi-celebratory satires such as this, that in turn helped to fuel the Egyptomania of the period. In this allegorical depiction of the Battle of the Nile, Nelson wields a club of British oak-the preferred construction material for the ships of the Royal Navy-to "cleanse the Mouth of the Nile" of tri-color French crocodiles. The crocodile in the distance with flames shooting out of its mouth represents L'Orient, the French flagship, which exploded during the battle. Gallery label for Pearls to pyramids: British visual culture and the Levant, 1600-1820 (Yale Center for British Art, 2008-02-07 - 2008-04-28)
