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The Slave Ship Ransomed

Violet Oakley

1914

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Early Modern Marine

Dominant colour

The Slave Ship Ransomed is a 1914 watercolor by Violet Oakley, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Violet Oakley
When & what style?: 1914 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a busy ship deck with two men in the center. One wears a white coat and hat, holding a rope, while the other, in green, leans over a group of people below. The ship’s sails fill the background, and more figures—some standing, others seated—fill the sides. The colors are bold but faded, with blues, browns, and whites standing out. The man in green seems to be handing something to the seated figures, who look exhausted. The ship’s hull blocks part of the scene, making the deck feel crowded. Look up Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of this artwork.

The story of this work

Overview

A preparatory study in pen, pencil, and watercolor for Violet Oakley’s mural *The Slave Ship Ransomed*, part of the series *The Creation and Preservation of the Union* created between 1911 and 1920, the work was intended for the Senate Chamber of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg.

Read the full account in the museum source.