Posters have from time t time unearthed some stunning murals - or big pictures. from these we can learn quite a bit but at the same time allowing for all manner of contrived situations. Were big murals political in the main or just vanity enhancers? And did the artist do the research for detail or did minions provide that? Paintings of great sea battles come to mind where - just a minor aside - ships' rigging, for instance, is very complex.

The best known of the Revolutionary/Napoleonic War naval artists is probably Nicholas Pocock.

Pocock himself had been a professional seaman and master of merchant ship before becoming an artist.

He researched his naval battles by interviewing participants as to weather, sea conditions etc as well as details of the fighting. He himself had been aboard HMS Pegasus during the battle known as the Glorious First of June.

HMS Defence at the Glorious First of June by Nicholas Pocock.