A Shipwreck
1759
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This stormy scene shows a ship breaking apart on rough waves. People cling to rocks on the left, looking scared, while others struggle in small boats. Dark clouds loom over jagged cliffs, and lightning flashes in the distance. The painting uses sharp contrasts between light and shadow to make the drama feel real. The waves crash hard against the shore, and the sky looks almost alive with tension. Next, check out *chiaroscuro* to see how artists use light and dark for drama.
