Dutch and British Men O' War off the Coast, Dutch Boat in the Foreground 

Charles Martin Powell made this marine painting using oil paints. Typically, these paints consist of pigment particles suspended in drying oil and are applied on canvas, or wood panels. The artist's handling of the paint is key to the image. The consistency of the oil paint allows for smooth gradations of color. Here, notice the turbulent sea and the stormy sky, rendered with visible brushstrokes and subtle color changes. Powell carefully built up layers of paint to create depth and texture. Think about the skilled labor involved in producing the pigments, preparing the paints, and applying them to the canvas. While Powell himself was from a privileged background, images such as this one speak to a much wider world of maritime labor. Consider the sailors who risked their lives navigating these ships and whose work powered global trade and naval power. By focusing on the material and the making of this painting, we can appreciate the many layers of history embedded within it.