John Steven Dews
b.1949 | British

Victory Breaking the Line - Battle of Trafalgar

Signed "J Steven Dews" (lower left)
Oil on canvas

John Steven Dews’ painting of the Battle of Trafalgar, the most famed naval battle in history, is one of the masterful maritime artist’s most impressive and rousing works. Titled Victory Breaking the Line, Dews depicts the iconic battle with astounding realism, capturing the visceral thrill of naval warfare. This painting transports viewers to the waters where the British fleet, under Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleet against the odds, thus solidifying the British navy as ruler of the seas.

At the start of what would be his final battle, Nelson caught sight of a Franco-Spanish force of 33 ships and knew the deck was stacked against Britain. At a time when naval victories were typically determined by the sheer number of ships and guns present, Nelson deployed a completely innovative strategy. He divided his 27 ships into two divisions and split the enemy fleet. Dews’ magnificent work captures the decisive moment in the battle when Nelson orchestrated his genius maneuver. This brilliant composition depicts the valiant HMS Victory as she breaks through the enemy line and pours her first massive port broadside into Bucentaure’s stern. By smashing the enemy flagship’s three-tiered galleries, Victory’s devastating fire swept along the length of all three gun decks, causing dramatic damage. The Battle of Trafalgar was among the most decisive naval engagements ever fought and Nelson’s victory reaffirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the 18th century.

Overall, the work reveals Dews' ability to capture both the majesty of ships at sea and a compelling narrative. The artist has gained critical acclaim for his incredible maritime scenes. Born in Yorkshire in 1949, Dews learned his trade at the Hull Regional College of Art after being turned down as a candidate at numerous naval academies. He turned to art to express his love for the sea, eventually building a sizable enough portfolio to mount his first exhibition in 1976. An astounding success, nearly the entire collection was sold on opening night, and Dews received 17 new commissions. Ever since his blockbuster opening, Dews has enjoyed remarkable success and critical acclaim, earning numerous prestigious commissions and awards to this day as one of Britain’s most sought-after living artists.