What you are looking at
A pale old warship is towed up the Thames by a small black steam tug, under a blazing sunset.
Why it is famous
HMS Temeraire had fought at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In 1838 it was towed away to be broken up, and Turner painted the end of the age of sail. In 2005 it was voted Britain's greatest painting in a BBC radio poll, and it appears on the Bank of England £20 note.
How big is The Fighting Temeraire?
The Fighting Temeraire measures 90.7 × 121.6 cm (35.7 × 47.9 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 3 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is in the National Gallery in London, which is free.
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More by J. M. W. Turner
Also at The National Gallery
SunflowersVincent van Gogh, 1888 LondonFrequently asked questions
Who painted The Fighting Temeraire?
J. M. W. Turner painted The Fighting Temeraire in 1839.
Where is The Fighting Temeraire?
The Fighting Temeraire is in The National Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
How big is The Fighting Temeraire?
90.7 × 121.6 cm (35.7 × 47.9 in). Its surface is about 3 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is The Fighting Temeraire made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: Wikidata Q257580; Wikipedia, "The Fighting Temeraire". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.