Although formerly titled 'Apotheosis of Nelson', this cannot be so unless it was deliberately drawn in reverse with a view to direct engraving (which would 'flip'the image), though that is also unlikely given its rapid, sketchy nature. The young, dark-haired officer shown still has a right arm and is presumably a captain from the red ribbon and (probably) the star of the Order of the Bath, unconventionally worn here on the right breast. Nelson at death had four orders including the Bath and wore them on the left as was more usual. The uniform is not well detailed but has a slashed cuff which, if taken at face value, would indicate a subject date either before 1774 or after 1812 in a captain, though both again seem unlikely in Pocock's range of work for one killed in the sort of fleet action roughly sketched at the bottom. A mourning Britannia supports the figure, with a British lion and a shield bearing the St George's cross (specifically of England) to the left: Fame blows her trumpet. Signed by the artist, bottom right. [PvdM 11/08]