Free Essential Information Location National Maritime Museum Price Free Book your free ticket Whip out your camera and grab a selfie at Yinka Shonibare's replica of Nelson's HMS Victory in a bottle - one of the most photographed artworks in London. The National Maritime Museum is the home to one of the most popular artworks to be shown in London: Yinka Shonibare CBE’s Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle. The work is an incredibly detailed, scaled-down replica of Nelson's flagship HMS Victory. Nelson's Ship in a Bottle has 80 cannon and 37 sails set as on the day of battle. The richly patterned sails were inspired by Indonesian batik, mass-produced by Dutch traders and sold in West Africa. Today these designs are associated with African dress and identity. The characteristic bright colours and abstract symmetries of Dutch Wax fabric have accrued many complex, often ambivalent associations – with colonialism, industrialisation, emigration, cultural appropriation, and the invention (and reinvention) of tradition – all of which are foregrounded in Shonibare’s work. Yinka Shonibare CBE is one of Britain’s best-known artists. He was born in London and raised in Nigeria before returning to the UK to study fine art. He was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2004, the same year in which he was awarded an MBE (an appellation that he uses when exhibiting and signing works). In 2019, he was made a CBE. He has exhibited at the Venice Biennial and internationally at leading museums. Shonibare is known for his exploration of colonialism and post-colonialism through the media of painting, sculpture, photography, film and performance. Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle was commissioned by the Greater London Authority for the Fourth Plinth project and was unveiled in Trafalgar Square in May 2010. It now has a permanent home at National Maritime Museum thanks to a fundraising campaign by the Art Fund. You can see it outside the Sammy Ofer Wing for free. Visit now See the Ship in a Bottle at the National Maritime Museum National Maritime Museum Discover epic stories of exploration and endeavour that have shaped our world today Plan your visit Find everything you need to know before visiting historic Greenwich Top things to do Epic tales of exploration, maritime treasures and family friendly galleries Shop Nelson, Navy & Nation: The Royal Navy And The British People, 1688–1815 £20.00 Nelson, Navy and Nation seeks to explore the Royal Navy’s relationship with Britain from the Glorious Revolution to the Napoleonic Wars, encompassing three central themes: the realities of naval life in this period, the navy’s connection to society, culture and national identity, and the story of Nelson’s life and career... Buy Now Shop Naval Rum Measure Cup £16.00 This reproduction rum measure cup is faithful to the examples we hold here in our collection at the National Maritime Museum... Buy Now Shop Cookery for Seamen by Alexander Quinlan £5.00 The first in a series of exciting discoveries from the National Maritime Museum archive, Cookery for Seamen is a fascinating insight into life on board in the 19th century... Buy Now Royal Museums Greenwich Close Choose your tickets National Maritime Museum Guaranteed entry time Access to all free galleries and activities Paid exhibitions not included Free entry Book online BOOK NOW Become a Member Unlimited entry all year Royal Observatory Cutty Sark Planetarium Shows Special exhibitions Direct Debit One-off Individual: £50 Individual: £60 Family: from £60 Family: from £70 JOIN TODAY Member tickets Free and fast-track Museums entry Priority booking Access using your membership card Membership card number required BOOK NOW