Study Notes on Turner's Slave Ship
Overview of Turner’s Painting: Slave Ship
Painting Identification:
Title: Slave Ship, Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On
Artist: J.M.W. Turner
Initial Impressions:
First reactions to the painting focus on its beauty, characterized by vibrant colors such as oranges and reds.
Displays the iconic Turner sunset, creating a thick, sensual quality in the paint.
Shocking Elements of the Painting
Scene Composition:
The painting initially appears to depict a serene seascape; however, a disturbing element is present in the bottom right corner.
An identifiable foot, leg, and shackle signify the horrors of slavery, disrupting the initial visual enjoyment of the painting.
The focus shifts from a simple sunset scene to a deeper subject matter that involves real human suffering and the consequences of slavery.
Narrative Context:
Ships like the one depicted are known to have transported slaves during their voyages.
The pressing threat of a typhoon is evident in the painting, emphasizing the perilous conditions faced by those on board.
Historical Context of the Painting
Reality Behind the Image:
The painting reflects a historical reality where captains of slave ships would discard slaves overboard during storms to collect insurance.
In the event of disease or death on board due to illness, the captain was not permitted to claim insurance, prompting the gruesome act of throwing slaves overboard.
Horrific Nature of Action:
Visual elements of the painting feature partial views of deceased bodies amidst swirling waves, illustrating both the beauty of nature and the horror of humanity's actions.
The juxtaposition highlights a critique of slavery and the merciless decisions made for profit and financial gain.
Philosophical and Ethical Implications
Nature's Indifference:
The painting incurs a sense of divine retribution, with the incoming storm symbolizing nature's punishment upon the slave ship and its crew.
Yet, it also raises questions regarding the indifference of nature itself—the same storm that threatens the slave ship also endangers the slaves thrown into the water, suggesting that nature does not discriminate between human actions, good or evil.
Historical Ownership of the Painting
Ownership History:
The first owner of this artwork was John Ruskin, a renowned Victorian art critic.
Subsequently, it came into the possession of an abolitionist who advocated for the cessation of slavery.
It is important to note that slavery was officially outlawed in British colonies in 1833, while France followed suit in 1848.
Slavery persisted in America until its prohibition during the Civil War.
Political Context of Slavery
Current Political Climate:
At the time of this painting's discussion, slavery remained a highly contentious political issue.
This extends beyond the ownership of slaves; it encompasses overall injustices where individuals exploited one another for financial gain.
Artistic Elements Noticed in the Painting
Color Details:
The left border of the painting employs significantly different colors (whites, blues, purples, greys) contrasting sharply with the warm tones on the right.
John Ruskin noted that purple and blue depict the shadows of the breakers, enhancing a shadowy, ominous atmosphere reminiscent of death surrounding the ship struggling in turbulent waters.
Ruskin’s description:
"purple and blue, the lurid shadows of the hollow breakers are cast upon the mist of night, which gathers cold and low, advancing like the shadow of death upon the guilty ship as it labors amidst the lightning of the sea, its thin masts written upon the sky in lines of blood."
Contrasting Themes:
The painting elicits feelings of horror in relation to the human condition while retaining the beauty of the natural world.
Turner’s work challenges viewers to confront the existing tensions between man’s inhumanity and the awe of nature's beauty and ferocity.