The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805 is a painting of 1822 by the British artist J. M. W. Turner. It was commissioned by King George IV as a part of a series of works to decorate three state reception rooms in St James's Palace and link the Hanoverian dynasty with military success. This work was Turner's only royal commission, and was to stand as the pendant piece to Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg's Lord Howe's action, or the Glorious First of June. The importance of Nelson and his tactics are referenced in Victorys dominating position in the scene, the execution as a history painting, and Turner's care in rendering all elements of the scene.
Role as a history painting
thumb|200px|right|'Twas in Trafalgar's Bay' (Turner's 'Trafalgar' explained by a Greenwich Pensioner)
A history painting is traditionally defined as a large-scale work depicting a scene from the Bible, mythology, or classical history. Generally regarded as the height of artistic genres, Turner recognizes this and paints The Battle of Trafalgar as a history painting depicting a contemporary event and as a patchwork scene composed of different moments portrayed as being simultaneous. Turner knows the importance of this genre and employs it to further the significance of the contemporary scene. This action firmly cements the work as being of great national significance and affirms Britain as a great maritime power. In the pursuit of these ideals and significance, Turner took several moments from the battle, across several days, and merged them into one moment in one scene.