John Singleton Copley, Watson and the Shark

John Singleton Copley, Watson and the Shark, 1778, oil on canvas, 182.1 x 229.7 cm (National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.). A conversation between Dr. Bryan Zygmont and Dr. Beth Harris.

[@martinchamberlin3359]

Ive lived in DC for a decade...visited this artwork dozens of times....and this video enlightened me more than all of my visits combined

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We are delighted the video was useful and we very much appreciate your reaching out. More art from the NGA is in the cue.

[@peterverdon645]

I’ve known of this painting since I was a child. I’m now 50-something and stood before it today for the first time today at the national gallery. I’ve had the good fortune to subscribe to your channel and watched this video yesterday. Thank you so much for enriching my experience

[@smarthistory-art-history]

What a wonderful note to read. Thank you.

[@juanpdp11]

Great content as usual, the conversation feels lively! Thank you.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

And thank you!

[@carlberg7503]

Another brilliant analysis that skillfully combines history, art history, and aesthetic theory. I found fascinating your examination of the paintings's composition and your exploration of genres and their significance. In addition, your investigation of the various meanings of the word "salvation" was illuminating. If you had more time, it would have been interesting to compare the National Gallery's version with the painting in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Many similarities but also significant differences. By the way, the word "Bible" is capitalized in English.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

There's always one typo that slips by. Thanks for the generous comment. Variations by the artist is an interesting topic. We are working on a new video now, on Thomas Cole's Voyage of Life also in the NGA but that set is a copy of the originals in the Munson in Utica. And then there is the Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Shaw Memorial in the NGA and of course in Boston, and on and on...

[@barrymoore4470]

I've been aware of this painting for years, but had never before noticed the detail of the hapless victim's missing leg.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

That tinge of red in the water is just awful, but also, just so well done.

[@kg8487]

I just saw this in person about 6 weeks ago on a quick lunch break visit and didn’t even notice the missing foot either!! I was too spellbound looking at the translucent sea water from a bit of a distance that I missed it completely. Spectacular painting.

[@oltedders]

I saw this painting reproduced in a book some 65 years ago. I was never fully informed of the back story until now. I never knew it was only his foot that was missing. It was in my high school art class that I found out he had survived the attack but assumed that the shark had gotten most of his leg. A fascinating and beautiful work of art. One that takes me back decades.

[@0x_hackerfren]

Another banger.

[@bryanzygmont]

No lies: this comment made me smile. :)

[@OldManse09]

Wonderful lesson! Thank you.

[@marcoafraone]

I did not realize there were multiple versions of this painting-one close to home for me at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

[@MichaelCairo-v2j]

This has been my favorite painting for many years; I can't believe I never noticed the missing leg! I actually gasped when you guys pointed it out 😂

[@onejonfromearth]

thank you woow..

[@SmittenKitten.]

My children are learning about Renaissance art and the period, and this shows how the present shines a light on the past while chaining it indelibly to the future. Really fascinating.

[@botanicallly]

My professor just used this as a compare and contrast with Gericault’s Raft of the Medusa!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We have a video on the Gericault: smarthistory.org/theodore-gericault-raft-of-the-medusa/

[@Nolanthegardener]

Such a dramatic painting. I didn't know it was inspired by a real event.

[@mooingAlong]

Loved this video though I miss your analysis of European art. Hope you get back to Europe and show art that we never knew existed.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

There is just so much wonderful art.

[@Sasha0927]

Caught this one early! I can see why this portrait is positioned the way it is. I loved that zoomed-in view of everyone's expressions around 1:25 - especially the red-head guy with the unibrow who's just there like "ugh" 😂💀 The detail of the shark got to me as well... It must be a species I'm unfamiliar with or at an unexpected angle because it looks strange to me. From one "hopeless, floundering figure" to another, I'm glad Watson survived. ❤ He was a real OG for putting a leg on his coat-of-arms.

[@paillette2010]

I’ve got to say, you’ve added to a painting I’ve always detested as too derivative and too “Protestant salvation” by Copley’s prosperous career. Maybe it’s the terrible morphology of the shark (they don’t loop around like eels when feeding). Still not a fan, but you guys always give it the college try.