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Mermaid Salem

Benjamin Franklin West

1846

oil

canvas

From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Marine

Dominant colour

Mermaid Salem is a 1846 oil by Benjamin Franklin West, held at Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Who painted this?: Benjamin Franklin West
When & what style?: 1846
Where can I see it?: Museum of Fine Arts Boston

About this work

This painting shows a large sailing ship with three masts and a hull that is white with a black stripe. The ship is sailing on rough seas, with its sails full of wind. In the background, there are other ships and a small island with trees. The ship is the main focus of the painting, and it is depicted in great detail. The artist has used oil paint to create a sense of depth and texture, with the rough seas and the ship's sails standing out against the calm background. If you're interested in learning more about this type of painting, you might want to look up the technique of chiaroscuro.