Tori Barrett/ Watson and the Shark

This is "Watson and the Shark" it was made in 1778. The painter was John Singleton Copley. He lived from 1738-1815. This is a oil on canvas painting. This was Copleys first attempt on what is considered the most important painting in the eighteenth century. This painting supposedly really happened. The story is from the early life of fourteen year old English merchant Brook Watson. When Watson was a boy, he went swimming in a Havanna harbor and was attacked by a shark and lost his right leg. Luckily, Watson's resue was successful. Brook Watson became an outstanding merchant and help a ton of important political posts in London. Copley departed from Boston in 1774 and traveled to Europe. In Europe, he spent a year studying Rennisance, classical sculptures and paintings. John Copleys tradition for paints was limited history paintings to themes from the Bible of mythology. Copley and Watson became friends when The American artist returned to London. The detail of the injury is "hidden" under the waves, with a hint of blood in the water. The compositions shows hints of " Jonah Thrown Into the Sea" The facial expressions resemblance the emotions fear and courage.