Painting and Polictics: John Singleton Copley's Watson and the Shark

John Singleton Copley 's painting "Watson and Sharks" dramaized terrible events in 1749 when 14 - year - old Brooke Watson was brutally attacked by sharks at the port of Havana. Immediately after the attack, Watson was rescued from the water by his companion. A crew member of a small boat repulsed the captain, rescued Watson, and was waiting to escort the captain to the shore. Unfortunately, Watson lost his leg (under the knee) due to the accident. He lived a fulfilling life and never forgot that day.

The interpretation of Brooke Watson and Shark's disaster by John Singleton Copley stood out as a wonderful romantic horror. Watson and sharks, canvas paintings were completed in 1778. The paintings are 71.75 inches tall and 90 inches wide. This romantic painting was donated by the Ferdinand Ramot Bering Foundation to the National Gallery of Washington, DC. Watson and sharks depict catastrophic events in the life of Brooke Watson. At the age of 14, the Bahamas born in Watson in the UK went fishing. According to Brook, he fell down and was hit by a huge shark. With the help of the crew, Watson escaped almost waiting death. But he did not run away without loss. Brooke Watson was stabbed by a shark

John Singleton Copley showed his education well with this picture. The depiction of his shark is very accurate and shows that Copley studied the biology and anatomy of a shark, an animal that was not found near his house. Copley definitely succeeded in rendering the story of the Watson Sea and gathered the attention and compassion of the audience.

By using oil color, John Singleton Copley creates an excellent sports feeling. By creating a transparent blue ocean, Copley shows that Brook Watson 's hair is almost washed by the shark mouth. The audience can witness the violent wave over the risk of and and intentional driving force. Brook Watson asked Copley to reproduce this event as a variety of decorative celebrations. The purpose of this painting is to talk about the unfortunate event in the sea of ​​a little boy. While finishing this work, the painting also celebrated his survival and victory. The same generation of people, Charles Wilson Peale, John Duran, Joseph Blackburn - Copley produced this work while drawing busy family and personal portraits. Copley is also a portrait painter, but he adds a certain style and personality to all paintings. Watson and sharks are definitely the best in the industry. John Singleton Copley is a genius before I create this picture.