In Memory of Lord Nelson 1805

This bronze medal of Lord Nelson was created by Jean-Pierre Droz, a Swiss medalist who worked in both Paris and London. Made to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson, who died in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, it presents a classical profile of Nelson, his name inscribed around the edge. These commemorative medals circulated within a specific social class, reinforcing a particular narrative of British heroism and national identity. While Nelson was celebrated as a symbol of courage and naval supremacy, it's crucial to remember the human cost of war and the complex legacies of colonialism and empire. This medal serves as a reminder of how history is often memorialized through selective narratives, inviting us to consider the perspectives and stories that may be excluded. While Nelson's image reflects power and authority, it also evokes the ephemerality of life and the enduring impact of historical events on collective memory.