A Shipwreck 1805 - 1807

Charles Turner’s “A Shipwreck,” an 1805-1807 aquatint, depicts a dramatic scene of a ship breaking apart in a stormy sea. The engraving showcases the artist's mastery of detail, with powerful waves crashing against the helpless vessel and the panicked faces of the crew clearly visible despite the chaotic scene. The piece captures the vulnerability of humanity against the immense power of nature, a theme prevalent in Romantic art. Now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, the print is a testament to Turner’s skill in capturing the raw emotion and physicality of a maritime disaster.