Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On) 1840

Artist Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775- 1851) One of the most recognised English landscape and seascape painters of the nineteenth century Turner is thought of as a forerunner to the Impressionist movement

Artist Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775- 1851) Had a formal art education, Royal Academy in London Made a member of the Royal Academy at 27 years old, in 1802 Included references to history and politics in his paintings – human action is secondary to the beautiful and dramatic landscapes

Background Information Based on an event in Thomas Clarkson’s The History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade (1808), the captain decided to throw overboard the sick and dying slaves, believing that insurance companies would pay for the slaves lost at sea but not those who died onboard the ship it was an important publication in the emerging abolitionist movement Thomas Clarkson was the founding member of the Society for the Effecting of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, beginning in 1787

Background Information British parliament abolished the slave trade in 1807 The trade continued despite the ban, even following the Slavery Abolition Act of 1933 The continued oppression of slaves caused the founding of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, formed in 1839 The group organised an international convention in 1840 Turner’s painting was therefore of great relevance when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1840

Artistic Analysis The composition is divided into four quarters:

Artistic Analysis Scene appears quite abstract – swirls of vivid colour balanced by dark tones Abrupt transition of warm colours to dark tones makes it an emotionally evocative landscape painting

Artistic Analysis Turner is depicting the cruelty of the trade, as well the retribution paid to slavers, as nature is about to sink the ship in revenge The actual ship the painting is based on was not lost in a storm – Turner added the typhoon for effect