Essential Information
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| Date and Times | Open daily |
| Price | Free |
Colossal in scale and ambition, J.M.W. Turner’s The Battle of Trafalgar is one of the treasures of the Queen's House collection.
The painting celebrates the British naval victory over a combined French and Spanish fleet off Cape Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Measuring more than three metres wide by two metres in height, it was commissioned by King George IV to immortalise the conflict.
Turner’s artwork captures the magnitude and turmoil of warfare, depicting drowning sailors, billowing smoke and toppling masts. At the centre is the Victory, flagship of Vice-Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, who was fatally wounded by a musket shot during the battle.
However, Turner’s only royal commission proved to be one of his greatest artistic challenges. When the painting was first unveiled at St James’s Palace in 1824, it sparked controversy, with critics objecting to its non-chronological approach to the conflict.
Greenwich connections
Now on display in the Queen’s House, Turner’s The Battle of Trafalgar is one of the many artistic treasures to see.
The painting’s Greenwich connections stretch back to 1829, when George IV donated it to the National Gallery of Naval Art at Greenwich Hospital – an institution that provided care for retired sailors. The work was one of the highlights of the popular gallery and became well-known among the British public.
Following the closure of the Naval Gallery in 1936, Turner’s The Battle of Trafalgar was transferred on long-term loan to the newly established National Maritime Museum.
The latest chapter in its Greenwich story occurred in October 2025, when the painting was installed in the Headmaster’s Drawing Room and Dining Room in the Queen’s House. Because of the work’s size, the installation process was especially complex. The canvas had to be carefully craned and manoeuvred through a window. The sections of its frame were reassembled once inside.
Come and see Turner’s The Battle of Trafalgar for yourself – and read on to discover the stories linked with the artwork.
A closer look at Turner’s ‘The Battle of Trafalgar’
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A maligned masterpiece?
Turner’s naval scene is a treasure of the Royal Museums Greenwich collection, but why was it so controversial when it was first shown in 1824?
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Hidden details
From sailors and signal flags to naval warships and Nelson’s final words, discover some of the intricacies within Turner’s largest artwork.
Plan your visit
Where is ‘The Battle of Trafalgar’ on display?
Turner’s The Battle of Trafalgar is on display in the Headmaster’s Drawing Room and Dining Room, located on the first floor of the building.
What else can I see at the Queen’s House?
The Queen’s House is home to an internationally renowned art collection, with more than 450 artworks on display.
Facilities and access
Find useful information about the facilities at the Queen’s House including cloakrooms, baby change and accessibility, and information for disabled visitors coming to any of our sites.
House closures
Occasionally some room closures may affect your visit to the Queen’s House. For full details of affected dates, click here.
Delve deeper
Credits
The conservation and display has been generously supported by the Company of Arts Scholars Trust, Aurelius Charitable Trust, Leslie Mary Carter Charitable Trust, Ian M. Foulerton Charitable Trust, The Leche Trust, The Radcliffe Trust, Michael Marks Charitable Trust and The Finnis Scott Foundation.
Image credits: The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805 by J.M.W. Turner (BHC0565) © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Greenwich Hospital Collection