HMS Victory at Portsmouth c.1881

HMS Victory was the first ship Jenner served on when he joined the Royal Navy in March 1855. As a 19-year-old, it would have been a memorable moment for Jenner to board the most famous ship in the Navy. The ship had been the fleet’s flagship commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In 1812, Victory retired to Portsmouth, where Jenner came to know the ship intimately. Many years later, Jenner used this knowledge to paint a series of works depicting the vessel.

The cool tones of blue and green give a restful feel to the work. The ship’s distinctive yellow and black paintwork (known as the Nelson Chequer) has faded, much like the ship’s role, which by then saw her relegated to duties as a transport ship. When the work was composed in 1881, Jenner’s reputation was strong, exhibiting at Brighton and Hove. Two years later, Jenner immigrated to Brisbane, bringing this artwork with him.