Watson and the Shark

Finished in 1778 by John Singleton Copley, dramatic painting in 1778, depicting a real shark attack that occurred in Havana harbor in 1749. The victim, Brook Watson, was 14 years old when a shark severed his right leg below the knee.

Watson survived and later became a wealthy merchant and Lord Mayor of London. He commissioned Copley to paint the scene, which became one of the most famous American paintings of the 18th century.

The painting combines historical documentation with Baroque drama. The diagonal composition, the terror on the faces of the rescuers, and the pale vulnerability of Watson create an image of supreme tension. The work is displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.