Watson and the Shark

John Singleton Copley

1778

Ethan Holaday

Background

• Artist: John Singleton Copley

• Medium: Oil on Canvas

• Style: Neo-Classicism

• Contractor: Brook Watson

• Current Location: National Gallery of Art

What functions are performed by lines?

• Outline Shape

• Implies Movement

• Create Focus

• Create Sense of Calm

How are shapes used?

• Organic Shapes in the Foreground– Imply chaos, lack of order, randomness

• Geometric Shapes in the Background– Express control, peace, order

Where is there visual texture?

• Smoothness of Watson’s skin

• Turbulence of waves

• Jagged teeth of shark

• Ruffles in Clothing

• Smoothness and sharpness of harpoon

• Gossamer lightness of sails

How is the illusion of space created?

• Things in foreground (Watson, shark, and boat) larger

• Things in background (harbor, boats, battlements) smaller

• Vanishing point behind harpooner

• No definite horizon line

• Sense of urgency and epic nature

What symbolic purpose does value have?

• Watson bright, glowing– Freedom – Purity– Goodness

• Shark and Clouds above dark, murky– Danger– Chaos

• Clouds in the distance bright, glowing– Hope

What unity and variety is present?

• Unity– Proximity of men in boat• Togetherness, strength

– Repetition of ships on harbor• Order, perfection, peace

• Variety– Reactions of men• Complexity of human emotion

– Watson’s Nudity• Youth, innocence, vulnerability

How is ethos used?

• Watson’s terror

• Varied emotions of men

• Rage of the harpooner

• Violent fury of the shark

What is the MESSAGE????

• My opinion:– Social Contract theory of John Locke• Man is pure, innocent, and totally free in his

natural state. However he is completely vulnerable and lacks any measure of security. Therefore man must become a part of society, giving up absolute freedom for the security and strength offered by it. When this is accepted, the man experiences a new birth of life and can have hope for his future.

What are the purposes?

• To entertain the English people with an exciting scene in a faraway place and the past

• To convey the Social Contract Theory

• For Copley to earn respect in the artistic world

• To make people think twice before swimming alone in shark infested waters

Bibliography

• Copley, John Singleton. Watson and the Shark. 1778. National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Smart

History. Web. 26 Oct. 2011

• Floryan, Meg. “Copley’s Watson and the Shark.” Smart History. Khan Academy, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011

• Gersh-Nesic, Beth. “Neo-Classicism.” Smart History. Khan Academy, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011

• “Watson and the Shark.” National Gallery of Art. National Gallery of Art, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011