Slave Ship

• Who is the artist?

  J.M.W Turner
• When was it painted?

  1840
• What is the style? Give a short definition

  Romanticism (late 18th century - mid 19th century) = evokes/emphasises emotion, awe of nature
• What is the purpose?

  Exhibits an emotive and heart-breaking scene which is based approx. 60 years earlier in 1781 – called the Zong Massacre. The slave ship owner named James Gregson threw overboard ill and dying slaves to collect insurance money for “lost cargo”.
• What was the inspiration?

  Thomas Clarkson book “History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade”
• Where was it exhibited?

  Exhibited in the Royal Academy Exhibition in 1840
• Give the critical text

  “The noblest sea Turner has ever painted” (John Ruskin)
• Give a composition point about the open composition

  Point: Open composition

  Reasoning: Intimidating waves seem to continue past the edge of the canvas on the left and right hand side in the foreground and mid - ground.

  
• Give a composition point about the sense of unbalance

  Point: Sense of unbalance

  
  

  Reasoning: The impending, dynamic waves positioned on the far left hand side within the mid ground (created by the typhoon) is larger and thus more dangerous /ferocious / life threatening than the waves presented on the right hand side.

  
  

  Effect: Producing a vertical emphasis, increasing the sense of foreboding (for the boat/slaves) from the typhoon onto the chaotic, disturbing scene.

  
• Give a composition point about the focal point

  Point: Focal point is the sunset, not the slave ship, (situated just right off the central axis in the distant background)

  
  

  Reasoning: The use of contre-jour produces backlighting

  
  

  Effect (1): Not only emphasises the lines and shapes present but also highlights the soon approaching nightfall, which could lead the slaves to their inevitable fate of death due to the cold water temperatures.

  Effect (2): sense of depression

  
• Give a composition point about the typhoon

  Point: Even though there is a sense of divine retribution through the foreboding typhoon which appears to be moving towards the ship. However, there is also a sense of indifference in nature as well since the typhoon could not only devour the ship but might also drown the slaves.

  
  

  Effect: This would help to intensify the superiority of nature over man, due to its overwhelming power to take lives.
• Give a composition point about the sunset 


  Point: The sunset might represent a higher power looking down on the devastation below, in which this idea is supported by the action of the slaves.

  Reasoning: There is a repetition of raised hands within the immediate foreground which seem to be breaking the water’s surface, possibly attempting to reach upwards desperately for God’s help to save their lives.

  
• Give a colour point about the specific palette

  Point: Polychromatic palette, intertwining warm and cool colours

  Reasoning: Indicated through his use of dark maroon, yellow, red and orange for the sky.
• Give a colour point about the contrasting colours

  Point: To contrast with the bewitching depiction of the luminous sunset, for the waves, predominately uses light blue, dark blue and even hues of grey to produce an unsettling seascape.

  Reasoning: Brings the thrashing movements of the waves to life.
• Give a colour point about the crimson red

  Point: Used a restricted amount of crimson red in waves

  Reasoning: bring attention to the loss of the slaves’ blood floating on top of the water, creating a sombre atmosphere.

  
• Give a MTP point

  Point: Used technique of scumbling

  Reasoning: Placed a limited amount of paint onto brush to sporadically generate almost broken streaks of paint on the surface. Shown in waves + sky.

  Effect: provide a level of energy to paint surface.
• Give a light point

  Point: Inclusion of chiaroscuro within waves.

  Effect: Not only adds depth but also provides a dual perspective as the boat exhibits no chiaroscuro and is even almost highlighted by the incoming colossal waves caused by typhoon, perchance emphasising that they will survive the storm.
• Give the conclusion point

  Not only attempted to shed light onto one of the most prominent problems during 19th century but also expressed power of nature over humanity through style & the abstracted seascape to dramatise strength of waves & sun = evoking the concept of the sublime, developed my Edmund Burke. Overall success,  becoming one of the most celebrated English Romantic artist within 19th century.
• What is the form?

  Oil on canvas