A view of a sailing fleet going into action at Trafalgar, with HMS Victory breaking the line at the centre of the image. Across the image there is an atmospheric monotony of light grey tones in the sky, sails, and ocean.

W. L. Wyllie (1851-1931) was a British Marine artist. Born in London, Wyllie painted, drew, and etched Thames scenes throughout his life. He moved to Portsmouth in 1907, where he continued working, supported the restoration of the Victory and painted the Trafalgar Panorama. Early in his career Wyllie was an illustrator for The Graphic, and he became a member of the Royal Academy in 1907.